Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing traffic on a data network. The method includes (i) reading an indicator of whether a last attempted communication with a network device was successful, and (ii) performing discovery of the network device at each time specified by a first schedule in response to the indicator indicating that the last attempted communication with the network device was successful, and at each time specified by a second schedule in response to the indicator indicating that the last attempted communication with the network device was not successful. There is also provided a system that performs the method, and a storage device that contains a program that controls a processor to perform the method.

Abstract: Several techniques are described herein for evaluating parameters relating to noise and excess current on a power line. More specifically, the techniques described herein are particularly well-suited for characterizing partial discharge, and for identifying a location of a source of the noise or the excess current on the power line.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) including in a dataset, data indicative of a time, (b) executing a hash function on the dataset to yield a hash value, and (c) employing the hash value as a password for a user to access a device. There is also provided a method that includes (a) including in a dataset, data indicative of a time, (b) executing a hash function on the dataset to yield a hash value, (c) determining that the hash value matches a password from a user, and (d) granting to the user, access to a device. There are also provided systems that perform the methods and storage devices that contain instructions for causing processors to perform the methods.

Abstract: There is provided a product that includes (i) a component, (ii) a storage device that holds a configuration code that indicates that the component is installed in the product, (iii) a processor, and (iv) a memory that contains instructions that are readable by the processor and that control the processor to (a) read the configuration code from the storage device, (b) determine from the configuration code that the component is installed in the product, thus yielding a determination, and (c) execute an operation in response to the determination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a weatherproof bulkhead mount that includes a weatherproof bulkhead housing having a portion sized to pass through a surface of a waterproof, sealed enclosure to an inside space of the enclosure and a portion sized to remain on the surface. The mount has a connector in the housing that provides electrical connection for an active component and is accessible from the outdoor environment, a circuit board in electrical connection with the connector for providing electrical communication between the connector and the inside space, and a removable cap to provide access to the connector when removed and to provide a weatherproof seal for the connector when not removed. Preferably, the “active” component socket is a SIM socket. Preferably, the cap has a push/pull grip, an elastic tether and a tether retaining ring. The tether retaining ring can also function as a weatherproof bulkhead gasket against the weatherproof bulkhead.

Abstract: There is provided a system that includes a charger and a portable device. The portable device is coupled to the charger via a coupling capacitance. The charger provides a relatively constant current to the portable device, even for a relatively large variation in the coupling capacitance.

Abstract: A bracket is provided that includes a plurality of apertures for mounting the bracket to a variety surfaces and connecting equipment selected by a user. The bracket may include an adjustable supporting arm and a connection box for providing a secure area for input and output devices to the equipment. The bracket may have a configuration that facilitates its mounting on a telephone or utility pole.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for parameter optimization of at least one interlayer handover in a multilayer wireless cellular communication network. Performance information for the communication network is retrieved. The retrieved performance information for the communication network is then averaged over a predetermined period of time. A determination is made based on the performance information as to whether optimization of the communication network is required. If so, the interlayer handover is optimized by capturing a current set of configuration parameters for the interlayer handover, generating a new set of configuration parameters for the interlayer handover based on the retrieved performance information and the current set of configuration parameters, and applying the new set of configuration parameters to the communication network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for secure and seamless roaming between internal and external networks. Double and triple tunnels may be used to connect a mobile node to a correspondent host. A mobile node may include the ability to connect to two networks simultaneously to enable seamless roaming between networks.

Abstract: A device includes a housing having a front surface, a rear surface and first and second side surfaces; the rear surface configured engage a user's palm. The device includes a radiotelephone communications transceiver and a contact-sensitive display, supported by the housing. The contact sensitive display is configured to display an image at the front surface of the housing, and produce an output signal in response to moving contact of an object along a contact-sensitive surface of the contact-sensitive display. The device also includes a controller configured to control at least one of the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver and to scroll displayed rows along an axis of the display based upon the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The controller has a mode that is unresponsive to contact with the contact-sensitive transducer, the second mode being entered in response to an input from a user.

Abstract: A device includes a housing having a front surface, a rear surface and first and second side surfaces; the rear surface configured engage a user's palm. The device includes a radiotelephone communications transceiver and a contact-sensitive display, supported by the housing. The contact sensitive display is configured to display an image at the front surface of the housing, and produce an output signal in response to moving contact of an object along a contact-sensitive surface of the contact-sensitive display. The device also includes a controller configured to control at least one of the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver and to scroll displayed rows along an axis of the display based upon the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The controller has a mode that is unresponsive to contact with the contact-sensitive transducer, the second mode being entered in response to an input from a user.

Abstract: A service based Ringback Tone service that may be personalized by a calling party instead of a called party. The calling party generates and stores an originating profile that contains Ringback Tones or Ringback messages associated with a Ringback Tone subscriber (called party). When the calling party contacts the called party, the Ringback Tone chosen by the calling party and associated with the called party is then sent to the calling party until the calling party answers the call.

Abstract: A device includes a housing having a front surface, a rear surface and first and second side surfaces; the rear surface configured engage a user's palm. The device includes a radiotelephone communications transceiver and a contact-sensitive display, supported by the housing. The contact sensitive display is configured to display an image at the front surface of the housing, and produce an output signal in response to moving contact of an object along a contact-sensitive surface of the contact-sensitive display. The device also includes a controller configured to control at least one of the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver and to scroll displayed rows along an axis of the display based upon the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The controller has a mode that is unresponsive to contact with the contact-sensitive transducer, the second mode being entered in response to an input from a user.

Abstract: An approach to managing stored-value data objects, such as electronic tickets, comprises secure systems and procedures for ticket issuing, storage, and redemption. With these systems and procedures in place, stored-value data objects may be securely transferred to remote systems, such as a user's personal electronic device, for subsequent secure redemption, thus allowing the user to gain access to the desired goods or service upon redeeming the data object. Techniques provide secure delivery of the requested data object to the requesting device, and provide secure redemption and disposal of the data object. Ticket issuing systems may be Internet-accessible systems, and users may purchase and redeem tickets using mobile terminals or other devices adapted for wireless communication. Standardized WPKI and Internet access procedures may be employed in ticket issuance and redemption.

Abstract: An approach to managing stored-value data objects, such as electronic tickets, comprises secure systems and procedures for ticket issuing, storage, and redemption. With these systems and procedures in place, stored-value data objects may be securely transferred to remote systems, such as a user's personal electronic device, for subsequent secure redemption, thus allowing the user to gain access to the desired goods or service upon redeeming the data object. Techniques provide secure delivery of the requested data object to the requesting device, and provide secure redemption and disposal of the data object. Ticket issuing systems may be Internet-accessible systems, and users may purchase and redeem tickets using mobile terminals or other devices adapted for wireless communication. Standardized WPKI and Internet access procedures may be employed in ticket issuance and redemption.

Abstract: A mobile communication network includes an antenna site shared by two or more telecommunications service providers. The antenna site includes a shared resource, such as an antenna, telecommunications equipment, or bandwidth, used by multiple service providers and connects to multiple signal processing centers, each of which belongs to one of the service providers. The signal processing centers may provide modulating signals to the antenna site to use in modulating a carrier. The antenna site may also direct received signals from mobile terminals to the signal processing center for the appropriate service provider. A billing module at the antenna site maintains an accounting of resources used by each service provider.

Abstract: An apparatus for servicing connections in a telecommunications network comprises N ports in communication with the connections through the network. Each port supporting a plurality of virtual links, and each virtual link supporting a plurality of rate groups. The apparatus comprises a processor for providing service to the connections. The apparatus comprises an associative array that stores timestamps of the virtual links and the rate groups. The apparatus comprises a scheduler which chooses which virtual link and rate group is to receive service from the processor as a function of a timestamp. An apparatus for servicing connections in a telecommunications network. The apparatus comprises N ports in communication with the connections through the network. Each port supporting a plurality of virtual links, and each virtual link supporting a plurality of rate groups. The apparatus comprises a processor for providing service to the connections.

Abstract: A channel response may be estimated from training symbols that are received over a channel, by determining an initial channel estimate from the training symbols and applying bias to the initial channel estimate to obtain a biased channel estimate. The biased channel estimate may then be used to demodulate a signal that is received over the channel.

Abstract: A received information signal is decoded to obtain the received information and to produce at least one feature of the received information signal. The received information signal is preliminarily classified as containing a normal burst or a truncated burst based upon the at least one feature, to obtain a preliminary classification. Cyclic redundancy checking of the received information that is decoded is performed. The received information signal is then further classified as containing a normal burst or a truncated burst based upon the preliminary classification and whether the cyclic redundancy checking is valid, to obtain a further classification. The received information signal may be still further classified as containing a normal burst or a truncated burst based upon the further classification and at least one transition rule for normal bursts and truncated bursts between the received information signal and a previously received information signal.

Abstract: A radiotelephone includes a housing, and a radiotelephone communications transceiver and display are attached to the housing. A contact-sensitive transducer such as a resistive transducer, a capacitive transducer or a semiconductive transducer, is attached to the housing and produces an output signal that characterizes contact with a contact-sensitive surface of the contact-sensitive transducer. A controller is responsive to the output signal and operatively associated with the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver, and controls at least one of the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver according to the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The controller, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer, may determine a position of contact along an axis of the contact-sensitive transducer. A graphical object is selectively displayed based on the determined position of contact to thereby identify the graphical object, e.g.