Abstract: A system and method for network design are disclosed. In one embodiment of a method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, embedded network information describing at least one existing network element and a plurality of physical locations available for locating new network nodes may be received. A demand forecast for a coverage area of a proposed network may also be received. In an embodiment in which a proposed network has a core layer, a number of core layer nodes to be included in the proposed network may also be received. In an embodiment in which a proposed network has an aggregation layer, a number of aggregator layer nodes to include in the proposed network may be calculated by adding a positive integer to a lower bound number of aggregator layer nodes. Consideration may be given to these and other inputs in connection with generating a network design.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to persist external index data in a database are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes maintaining a database including a first data table that is configured to store data in a database format and a second data table that is configured to store index data. The index data represents an index of a first portion of the first data table, and the index maintained externally to the database by an index manager. The method also includes generating a data update representing a modification to the first data table and communicating the data update to the index manager. The method further includes receiving index update data from the index manager representing a modification to the index as a result of the data update and applying the index update data to the second data table.

Abstract: Systems and methods to distribute power in a system having a composite structure are provided. A particular aircraft includes a fuselage having a composite skin. The composite skin includes a first resin and a plurality of fibers. The fuselage also includes an expanded conductive patch bonded to an interior surface of the composite skin by a second resin. The expanded conductive patch is in electrical contact with the plurality of fibers. The fuselage also includes a connector in electrical contact with the expanded conductive patch.

Abstract: An aircraft antenna, an antenna system, and a method of providing an antenna are disclosed. A conductive plate is configured to conform to an area on an outer surface of a fuselage of an aircraft. The conductive plate is configured to be positioned in direct and intimate contact with a conductive portion of the fuselage. A conductive rib is configured to be electrically coupled to the conductive plate and to extend toward a first point adjacent an inner surface of a structure of the aircraft that extends from the fuselage. A conductive spine configured to extend along the inner surface of the structure between the first point and a second point. The conductive spine is electrically coupled to the conductive rib at the first point and is configured to receive a conductive feed line at the second point. An antenna coupler mount is configured to receive an antenna coupler. The antenna coupler mount is physically coupled to a surface of the conductive plate and is electrically coupled to the conductive plate.

Abstract: In a particular illustrative embodiment, a portable personal media player includes a first interface, a second interface, a display, an audio output, a keypad and a processor. The first interface communicates via a network with a residential gateway that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of electronic devices. The second interface may communicate wireless commands directly to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices. The display is adapted to display alphanumeric data and video content. The processor is responsive to a selection received via the keypad to transmit a request for selected media content to the residential gateway via the first interface. The processor receives media content related to the request via the first interface, processes the media content and provides video data to the display and audio data to the audio output.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first identification signal, where the first identification signal corresponds to a first control. The method also includes determining an active device function to which the first control corresponds, where the active device function is a first function of a first device when the first device is active and where the active device function is a second function of a second device when the second device is active. The method also includes triggering emission of an audible signal identifying the active device function.

Abstract: A method of using a device, including monitoring host activity in an autonomous manner, without the host reporting to the device about its activity. The method also including initiating communications from the device and using resources of the host for such communications, thereby enabling the device to function as a proactive device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving a selection of an interactive voice response (IVR) option. The method also includes receiving, at an IVR system, a first spoken message. The first spoken message is translated, at a translator, into a short message service (SMS) text message.

Abstract: A method of providing video content commentary is disclosed that includes sending video content to a first set-top box device at a first time, where the first set-top box device is associated with a first subscriber. The method also includes receiving data corresponding to a comment submitted by the first subscriber. The comment relates to a particular portion of the video content. Further, the method includes sending the video content to a second set-top box device at a second time, where the second set-top box device is associated with a second subscriber. The video content sent to the second set-top box device includes a graphical representation of the comment.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are provided for imaging a unit under test. Orientation of an imaging system is determined with a machine vision system, a unit under test is scanned with the imaging system, and the scanned image is processed into a substantially distortion-free image. The scanned image may be processed into a substantially distortion-free image by mapping a scanned image to coordinates determined by the machine vision system. By combining the position and orientation information collected at the time each image pixel is collected, the image can be assembled without distortion by mapping a detector signal to the appropriate image coordinate. Alternately, the scanned image may be processed into a substantially distortion-free image by mapping a scanned image to a predetermined matrix grid of coordinates, identifying distortion in the scanned image, and correcting identified distortion in the scanned image.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automating network performance to a customer support department that includes a passive listening device configured to monitor portions of a communication network. A performance database may be coupled to the passive listening device and configured to store network performance data. A customer relations module may be included and configured to receive a subscriber inquiry and to identify at least one monitored component of a communication network that affects the subscriber. The module may retrieve performance data on one or more components of the communication network to provide customer-specific communication performance data to the subscriber and/or the agent assisting the subscriber.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide interactive moderated collaborative sessions are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving a media stream and associating moderator controls with the media stream to create an interactive media session. The interactive media session enables multiple remote users to interact with one another with respect to the media stream. The moderator controls enable a moderator to facilitate the interaction of the multiple remote users. The method also includes sending display data to display devices of the multiple remote users. The display data is based on moderator control input received via the moderator controls, interactive input received from the multiple remote users, and the received media stream.

Abstract: A method of registering a mobile subscriber within a network including distributed mobile architecture nodes is disclosed. The method includes receiving a registration request from a mobile subscriber at a first distributed mobile architecture node within the network and storing an identifier of the first distributed mobile architecture node and the mobile subscriber at a memory location within a visitor location register (VLR) gateway. The VLR gateway is coupled to an element of a wide area wireless network. Also, a computer readable memory accessible to a distributed mobile architecture node of a distributed internet protocol network is disclosed. The computer readable memory includes a first field to identify a visiting mobile subscriber unit and a second field to identify an address of one of the distributed mobile architecture nodes of the distributed internet protocol network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for search query extension are disclosed. A particular method retrieves a set of queries related to a search query from a query repository. The search query includes one or more search words and at least one search word is included in each query in the set of queries. A set of context words based on one or more computer-readable files accessible to a computer is generated and an intersection is calculated. The intersection is based on the set of queries and the set of context words. An extended search query is generated based on the calculated intersection and the search query.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a memory card structure having an edge connector portion. The edge connector portion has a thickness that complies with a memory card specification. The data storage device also includes an electrical connector portion of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible receptacle or of an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1394 compatible receptacle. The electrical connector portion is attached within the edge connector portion of the memory card structure to remain stationary with respect to the memory card structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods to select media content are provided. A particular method includes dynamically selecting media content items for presentation by a media player based on media selection settings. The method also includes generating an output including a current media content item of the dynamically selected media content items. The method also includes accessing a selected media content item from a memory when the selected media content item becomes the current media content item. When the selected media content item is available at a first local memory, the selected media content item is accessed from the first local memory. When the selected media content item is not available at the local memory, a request is sent to a remote network device to send the selected media content item from a remote memory.

Abstract: A user interface receives a user selection of a video content item. The video content item is available in a high definition (HD) format and a non-HD format via a broadband network access line. A format selector automatically selects which format of the video content item from the HD format and the non-HD format to retrieve via the broadband network access line. The format is automatically selected based on at least one rule. A receiver receives the video content item via the broadband network access line in the format automatically selected by the format selector. A television display displays the video content item received by the receiver and in the format automatically selected by the format selector.

Abstract: An information system includes a server that creates an information reservoir with data units for a user of a mobile communication device based on a unique user profile of the user of the mobile communication device. The server creates the unique user profile based on interaction of the user with the mobile communication device or with another computing system. The server transfers the information reservoir to the mobile communication device and each time the user requests data from a web site, the server scans it to find key terms. If the server finds key term(s) in the data, it uses a tagging rule to mark the key term(s) and, then, it transfers the data with the marked term(s) to the mobile communication device. The user may, then, select a marked key term to call/display a data unit that is locally stored on the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods to measure network usage are provided. A particular method includes collecting first usage data from a first network device of a network at a network usage tracking system. The first network device determines the first usage data based on an inband measurement of data passing through the first network device. The method includes collecting second usage data from a second network device of the network at the network usage tracking system. The first network device and the second network device are different network devices. The method includes matching the first usage data and the second usage data to user accounts. The network usage data is determined based on the first usage data, the second usage data, and the user accounts.

Abstract: A method, program product and apparatus include resistance structures positioned proximate security sensitive microchip circuitry. Alteration in the position, makeup or arrangement of the resistance structures may be detected and initiate an action for defending against a reverse engineering or other exploitation effort. The resistance structures may be automatically and selectively designated for monitoring. Some of the resistance structures may have different resistivities. The sensed resistance may be compared to an expected resistance, ratio or other resistance-related value. The structures may be intermingled with false structures, and may be overlapped or otherwise arranged relative to one another to further complicate unwelcome analysis.