Abstract: Systems and methods involving machine learning functionality in a classroom setting are described to aid a teacher in certain teaching and administrative tasks. The classroom assistance system involves member devices used by students and at least one moderator device used by a teacher and may further involve an administrator device used by an administrator and a server. The member devices may display media content. The moderator device may include an image/audio input device and may execute machine learning engines running machine learning models that generate results indicative of student behavior, student comprehension and the appropriateness of media content. The teacher, using the moderator device, may provide feedback regarding the results. The member device may generate more than one type of result and one result may provide feedback with respect to the other result. Feedback may be used to train the machine learning model and generate improved models.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving distributed machine learning using fog computing are described. The distributed machine learning architecture described involves at least a cloud server, one or more fog nodes and one or more edge devices. The cloud server has superior computational power compared to the fog nodes and edge devices and the edge devices may have inferior computational power compared to the fog nodes. The cloud server, fog nodes and edge devices may each have machine learning capability involving learning algorithms used to train models that may be used for inferencing. The distributed machine learning platform described herein may be used for making predictions and identifying certain types of data or trends in data. By distributing the machine learning computation to lower level devices, such as fog nodes and edge devices, bandwidth usage and latency common in traditional distributed systems may be reduced.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for routing are provided in which a connection track comprising a plurality of network or transport layer packets, received by a router, is identified by examination of header fields of one or more first packets in the plurality of packets. One or more quality of service (QoS) parameters is associated with the connection track by determining whether the track encodes a data type by (i) an identification of a predetermined application protocol used within the one or more first packets and/or (ii) a comparison of a payload of one or more packets in the plurality of packets to known data type formats. A first QoS parameter is set to a first value in a first value range when the connection track contains the first data type. The connection track is routed through the router in accordance with the one or more QoS parameters assigned to the connection track.

Abstract: A method for sharing digital information is provided. The method may include, at a first local area network (LAN)-based embedded device, inviting a second LAN-based embedded device to share digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; synchronizing the digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; and maintaining communication between the first LAN-based embedded device and the second LAN-based embedded device. Said inviting may include, at the first LAN-based embedded device: receiving an identifier of a second mobile device, and transmitting to the second mobile device a first WAN IP address and first access credential; and at the second LAN-based embedded device: receiving the first WAN IP address and first access credential from the second mobile device, and transmitting to the first LAN-based embedded device a second WAN IP address and second access credential.

Abstract: Under one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for facilitating communication between a mobile device and a wireless access point (WAP). The mobile device includes a processor and a non-volatile computer readable medium. The system may include an identifier disposed on the WAP; and a communication application stored in the non-volatile computer readable medium of the mobile device and configured to cause the processor of the mobile device to perform the steps of: (a) obtaining a digital representation of the identifier of the WAP; (b) connecting to the WAP; (c) transmitting the digital representation of the identifier to the WAP; (d) receiving from the WAP an ESSID and a credential responsive to the transmitted digital representation; and (e) connecting to the selected wireless access point based on the ESSID and credential.

Abstract: A method for sharing digital information is provided. The method may include, at a first local area network (LAN)-based embedded device, inviting a second LAN-based embedded device to share digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; synchronizing the digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; and maintaining communication between the first LAN-based embedded device and the second LAN-based embedded device. Said inviting may include, at the first LAN-based embedded device: receiving an identifier of a second mobile device, and transmitting to the second mobile device a first WAN IP address and first access credential; and at the second LAN-based embedded device: receiving the first WAN IP address and first access credential from the second mobile device, and transmitting to the first LAN-based embedded device a second WAN IP address and second access credential.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for routing are provided in which a connection track comprising a plurality of network or transport layer packets, received by a router, is identified by examining header fields of one or more packets in the plurality of packets. One or more quality of service (QoS) parameters is associated with the connection track by determining whether the track encodes a data type by (i) an identification of a predetermined application protocol used within the one or more packets and/or (ii) a comparison of a payload of one or more packets in the plurality of packets to known data type formats. A first QoS parameter is set to a first value in a first value range when the connection track contains the first data type. The connection track is routed through the router in accordance with the one or more QoS parameters assigned to the connection track.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for allowing an packet-based call made to a first identifier to dial a phone number within a telephone network. The method comprises sending a data packet from the packet-based call to a gateway device that can communicate with the telephone network. The data packet comprises the first identifier. The gateway device finds the phone number corresponding to the first identifier using a lookup table accessible to the gateway device. The gateway device then dials the phone number and transfers the data packet to the phone number.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for routing are provided in which a connection track comprising a plurality of network or transport layer packets, received by a router, is identified by examination of header fields of one or more first packets in the plurality of packets. One or more quality of service (QoS) parameters is associated with the connection track by determining whether the track encodes a data type by (i) an identification of a predetermined application protocol used within the one or more first packets and/or (ii) a comparison of a payload of one or more packets in the plurality of packets to known data type formats. A first QoS parameter is set to a first value in a first value range when the connection track contains the first data type. The connection track is routed through the router in accordance with the one or more QoS parameters assigned to the connection track.

Abstract: A multiband antenna includes at least two resonators that are driven directly and resonate in different frequency bands and a parasitically coupled resonator that resonates in one of the frequency bands. The coupled resonator is grounded with a conductive trace at one end and is thus not directly fed by the RF feed of the antenna. The coupled resonator increases the efficiency bandwidth near the frequency of operation for the coupled resonator. The antenna is fabricated from a stamped metal that is bent around or overmolded by a spacer layer. A clip formed integrally with the antenna by bending a portion of the ground plane permits attachment to the metal shield of the display of a laptop computer and is thus grounded along its length.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates communications between a first network and a second network using an information routing device having an auto-configuration feature. The auto-configuration feature negotiates what authentication protocol will be used when the networks transfer information. Once the authentication protocol is negotiated by the device, the device intercepts and stores information transferred between networks. In this manner, the device can emulate a first network when coupled to a second network by providing the necessary stored information directly to the second network, and vice versa.

Abstract: DC inductive FSS technology is a printed slow wave structure usable for reduced size resonators in antenna and filter applications of wireless applications. It is a dispersive surface defined in terms of its parallel LC equivalent circuit that enhances the inductance and capacitance of the equivalent circuit to obtain a pole frequency as low as 300 MHz. The effective sheet impedance model has a resonant pole whose free-space wavelength can be greater than 10 times the FSS period. A conductor-backed DCL FSS can create a DC inductive artificial magnetic conductor (DCL AMC), high-impedance surface with resonant frequencies as low as 2 GHz. Lorentz poles introduced into the DCL FSS create multi-resonant DCL AMCs. Antennas fabricated from DCL FSS materials include single-band elements such as a bent-wire monopole on the DCL AMC and multi-band (dual and triple) shorted patches, similar to PIFAs with the patch/lid being a DCL FSS.

Abstract: A router is provided that automatically configures itself to support Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) communication protocols or other suitable communication protocols such as static IP, as required by an internet service provider. A user at a personal computer that is connected to the router via a local area network need not manually supply configuration information to the router for this purpose. The router may detect which communication protocol is to be used by monitoring which client set-up processes are initiated by the personal computer and by attempting to use those processes to communicate with the internet service provider. Successful responses from the internet service provider are used to confirm which protocol the router is to use for supporting subsequent communications between the personal computer and the internet service provider.

Abstract: Lightweight, small antennas are described that have decreased material and fabrication/processing cost. The antennas may be used in consumer electronics products such as cellular phones, laptops and PDA's. Some of the antennas and fabrication techniques also provide lower part count and increased reliability. All antennas are fabricated with standard materials currently available in high volume production.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) inductive shorted patch antenna includes a direct current inductive (DCL) frequency selective surface (FSS) forming the radiating element, a ground plane, a feed, and a radio frequency (RF) short to the ground plane positioned between the feed and the radiating element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively providing telephone service that is either PSTN-based or Internet-based using a standard analog telephone circuit. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hardware module and associated software for coupling a personal computer or Internet appliance and a standard analog telephone. The apparatus includes a DTMF interface circuit, a subscriber line interface circuit, a ring detection circuit, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the PC or Internet appliance. The apparatus permits the analog telephone to be toggled between an Internet-based telephone mode and a PSTN-network mode by inputting a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor, modem and optionally, analog telephone circuit, to provide a stand-alone or partially-integrated device capable of selectively switching between PSTN-based and Internet-based telephony services.

Abstract: A modem that handles interruptions caused by call waiting signals is described. When the modem detects a call waiting signal, the modem alerts the user to the presence of the call waiting signal, and permits the user to answer the incoming call by taking a local phone that is connected to the modem off-hook. When the local phone is taken off-hook, the modem automatically generates a hook-flash signal to switch to the incoming call. When the user places the local phone back on-hook, the modem generates another hook-flash signal to resume (if possible) the modem connection. Additionally, the modem prevents a “fallback”, in which the modem switches from its current protocol to a lower-speed protocol, during a “retrain” process caused by a call waiting event.

Abstract: Over-voltage protection circuitry for use with a PCMCIA modem card or a mobile modem is disclosed. The protection circuitry detects excessive voltage between the tip and ring lines of a telephone subscriber loop when the modem is “off-hook”, and immediately places the modem “on-hook”, protecting the line interface circuitry, when the over-voltage condition is detected. The over-voltage protection circuitry of the present invention may share common components and signal lines with the modem's ring-detection circuitry, and may be implemented using a minimal number of additional components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically selecting a computer on a local area network to become a server providing shared access to a wide area network, such as the Internet, to all of the computers on the local area network is disclosed. A server may be selected from among any of the computers on the local area network that is currently available (i.e. powered on), and capable of establishing a connection to the wide area network. If the current server shuts down, a new server may be selected and started with only minimal impact on the other computers on the local area network, which are automatically reconfigured to use the new server to route network traffic to the wide area network.

Abstract: Protection circuitry for use with a modem is provided that detects excessive voltage between the tip and ring lines of a telephone subscriber loop when the modem is off-hook. When the over-voltage condition is detected, a switch is active, creating a circuit path that directs current away from the DC-holding circuit of the modem, thereby protecting the modem. The protection circuit of the present invention may be implemented using a minimal number of simple and inexpensive components.