Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a residential gateway (RG) having a controller to measure media presentation quality in a multicast network inline at the RG and to use Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) header information from RTP packets to perform the media presentation quality measurements. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode used in a solar cell that exhibits good conductivity at the N layer and P layer and to a conductive paste used for producing such an electrode.

Abstract: A search query comprising a plurality of search terms is used to generate a plurality of search results. The search query, in its entirety, is represented by an object in multi-dimensional space. The multi-dimensional space comprises a plurality of dimensions to represent a plurality of search criteria, respectively. The object has a position in the multi-dimensional space based on values of the search criteria. The object is manipulated simultaneously in at least two dimensions of the multi-dimensional space to simultaneously modify respective values of at least two of the search criteria. The search results are filtered based on the modified values of the search criteria to produce a subset of the search results, and the subset is displayed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides location-sensitive and time-sensitive calendaring to a wireless device, such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, etc. A user's calendar is maintained with a number of appointments, start times and end times for the appointments, meeting place and a list of attendees for the appointments. When the present time reading is within a predetermined minimum of a meeting start time of an appointment of a calendar of a user, the location of the user is determined based on the location of the wireless device. The location of the meeting place is also determined. Using historical data (of the user or others), the estimated time of arrival of the user at the meeting place is determined. If the estimated time of arrival is after the meeting start time, then a late message may be sent to the user and/or to the other meeting attendees.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for managing inventory of and space assignment in main distributing frames associated with a telephone network. The system includes a database that stores frame information and a server that uses the database and executes instructions contained in a computer program to maintain current inventory of the frames, including the equipment terminated on the frames and their allocated space. The server assigns the space for terminating new equipment on the frames and allocates the space to balance the load condition on the frames.

Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitive/resistive device, which may be embedded within a layer of a printed wiring board. Embedding the device conserves board surface real estate, and reduces the number of solder connections, thereby increasing reliability. More specifically, the device, comprises a first metallic foil; a second metallic foil; a first electrode formed from the first metallic foil; a dielectric disposed over the first electrode; a resistor element formed on and adjacent to the dielectric; a conductive trace; and a second electrode formed from the second metallic foil and disposed over the dielectric and in electrical contact with the resistor element, wherein the dielectric is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and wherein said dielectric comprises an unfilled polymer of dielectric constant less than 4.0.

Abstract: A method of packetizing digital audio information includes separating a digital audio sample into at least one most significant bit and at least one least significant bit. The most significant bit(s) of the digital audio sample are placed into an most significant bit packet that has a high transmission priority. The least significant bit(s) of the digital audio sample are placed into an least significant bit packet that has a low transmission priority.

Abstract: A telecommunication system comprises a first plurality of virtual circuit label switched paths (VC-LSPs) dedicated to communicate broadcast and unknown frames. The known frames have an encapsulated source site identifier used for media access control (MAC) address learning.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) can be managed in a network that uses time division access, such as a Passive Optical Network (PON), by supporting provisioning of at least two scheduling precedence levels in the PON, none of the at least two precedence levels being associated with a fixed or assured bandwidth traffic type in the PON, but having a bandwidth precedence and/or proportion relationship to each other.

Abstract: An enhanced network element and method for configuring and deploying computer network elements is disclosed. A customer orders a network element from an equipment provider. Upon receipt of the unconfigured network element, a Trusted Configuration Device (TCD) is shipped from a network provider to the customer. The TCD transmits information to the NE that enables it to download a configuration file from a Provisioning Server (PS) via a secure channel.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a ferrochelatase.

Abstract: Disclosed methods of achieving load balancing among a plurality of border elements in a next generation networks (NGN) communication network include a method for processing and user endpoint originated messages (UEOM), such as a register or invite message, generated by a user endpoint. A work load information data structure indicative of a first border element's work load and a second border element's work load is maintained when the border elements exchange work load information. Based on the work load information, a first border element responds to a UEOM by either (1) accepting the UEOM for first border element processing, (2) determining whether to accept the UEOM for first border element processing or redirect the UEOM to a second border element for second border element processing, or (3) rejecting the UEOM.

Abstract: A method for delivering a time-sensitive message to a recipient includes receiving the time-sensitive message, the time-sensitive message having a rule set for delivering the time-sensitive message. The rule set is extracted from the time-sensitive message. The rule set specifies a starting time and an expiration time for the time-sensitive message. The time-sensitive message is provided to the recipient based on the starting time. A determination is made if a current time is within a threshold of the expiration time. An extension message is sent to a source of the time-sensitive message if the current time is within a threshold of the expiration time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving network performance in a communication system. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) that manages operations of a communication system including a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) coupled to a plurality of wireless base terminals (WBTs) by way of a corresponding plurality of network elements, having a network configuration element that identifies for each of the plurality of WBTs a resultant communication path to the MTSO according to a plurality of performance characteristics calculated from alternative communication paths connecting combinations of the WBTs to the MTSO. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluororesin coating film for improved permeation resistance that maintains excellent wear resistance and also products containing such film. The fluororesin coating has at least two layers that are formed on a substrate where at least one of the layers contains filler with a new Mohs hardness of ?7 and a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro (alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro (alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer layer directly below the layer described above.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method, and a device A device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface corresponding to a movement of the writing element over the surface. The device also includes a controller operable to digitally encode information in the mark.

Abstract: A method of AIN query redirection is performed by a first SCP in a telecommunication network. The first SCP receives a query from an originating SSP and determines that a second SCP should service the query. The query is then populated with information from the originating SSP as well as appropriate routing information to send the query to a second SCP where a response is generated by the second SCP. The query response is sent back from the second SCP to the originating SSP without passing through the first SCP.

Abstract: Embodiments include a surgical device and a method. An embodiment of the surgical instrument includes at least one grasping jaw, the at least one grasping jaw being adapted to deliver surgical staples by a force generated from a force generator mechanism that is contained within the at least one grasping jaw or is in a proximity to the at least one grasping jaw. Another embodiment includes at least one grasping jaw, at least one actuation mechanism adapted to deliver surgical fasteners, the actuation mechanism being located in a proximity to or contained within the at least one grasping jaw, the surgical fasteners containing at least one shape-transforming material, at least one sensor, at least one chemical tissue sealant and at least one cutter. A method includes: grasping a body organ/tissue with at least one grasping jaw, adjusting a configuration of the grasping in response to a signal or a datum or an image, and releasing a surgical staple/fastener in response to the signal, datum or image.

Abstract: A method for compressing/restoring image data free from degradation of image quality caused by compression/decompression, a method for compressing image data at high compression ratio, and its restoring method are disclosed. In the image data compressing method, image elements contained in a digital image read from a sheet of paper are extracted, each of the extracted image elements is subjected to data compression by a compression method of corresponding to the type of the image element, and the compressed image element data are stored.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a command to monitor communications in a asynchronous transfer mode network are described. In an embodiment of the present invention, an analyst or automated system creates a command to instruct a network element to mirror a port to another network element in communication with the asynchronous transfer mode network. In one embodiment, the analyst troubleshoots a communication link between two network elements by creating two port mirror commands, transmitting the commands to the network elements, and then monitoring subsequent communications between the elements.