Abstract: A user is provided with access to a systems interface to back-end legacy systems using voice inputs. The user dials-in to the voice server using an access device. A voice recognition server performs voice authentication, speech recognition, and speech synthesis. The voice server authenticates the user based on a voice exemplar provided by the user. Using speech synthesis, the voice server provides a menu of operations from which the user can select. By speaking into the access device, the user selects an operation and provides any additional data needed for the operation. Using speech recognition, the voice server prepares a user request based on the spoken user input. The user request is forwarded to the systems interface to the legacy systems. The systems interface includes a protocol server for providing a protocol interface and a transaction server for receiving user requests and generating legacy transactions.

Abstract: Content titles are electronically arranged in different groups. An electronic wrapper surrounds all the titles in each group. The electronic wrapper displays content information that is common to all the titles in each group.

Abstract: A wireless local area network access point includes a memory that stores a program for enabling a separate dual mode device to access a wireless local area network through the wireless local area network access point, a processor that executes the program, and a transmitter that transmits a beacon signal that identifies the wireless local area network. The wireless local area network access point receives instructions to allow the separate dual mode device to access the wireless local area network, in response to the separate dual mode device transmitting information about the wireless local area network access point and about the dual mode device via a cellular network distinct from the wireless local area network. The wireless local area network access point provides access to the wireless local area network to the separate dual mode device in response to receiving the instructions.

Abstract: A method includes sending a first message to a conference bridge from a first device. The first message includes an audio signal, a video signal, a musical instrument digital interface signal, or combinations thereof. The conference bridge establishes a voice over internet protocol call between the first device, a second device, and a mix controller external to the conference bridge. The method includes receiving a second message from the conference bridge at the first device. The second message comprises a mixed audio signal produced by the conference bridge from the first message and a third message received by the conference bridge from the second device. The mix controller sets a mixing level for each audio signal used to produce the mixed audio signal. The method also includes processing the second message via the first device to generate an output.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a personal electronic device includes a logic circuit and at least one micro-impulse radar operatively coupled to the personal electronic device. The micro-impulse radar is configured to probe a region near the personal electronic device to produce micro-impulse radar data. The logic circuit is configured to provide an operating parameter to the personal electronic device based on the micro-impulse radar data.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for enabling a user to select telephone numbers to which a wireless device may place calls and from which the wireless device may receive calls. One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes software for use on a general purpose computer allowing the user to input into the memory of a wireless device desired telephone numbers that may not be changed by the operator of the wireless device. The computer software also programs the wireless device to only place calls to, or receives calls from, the telephone numbers entered into the memory of the wireless device by the owner.

Abstract: A method for detecting a defect in wiring in a DSL system. The method includes collecting data including instantaneous values, a history of values, and/or parameters relating to a central office or customer premises equipment, analyzing a line for a wiring defect based on the collected data, and reporting whether or not a wiring defect was detected responsive to the analyzing step.

Abstract: Local breakout mechanisms can be performed by a femto access point (FAP) to facilitate efficient utilization of backhaul and/or macro networks. In particular, a slave Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) can be integrated within the FAP to directly route the incoming traffic from a user equipment (UE) at the FAP. In one example, Internet bound traffic can be directly routed to the Internet, without employing macro network resources. Further, the system can avoid hairpinning by routing traffic between the UE and a home Local Area Network (LAN) by a anchoring a call or a session in the slave GGSN and facilitate integration of UEs with home applications by employing a UE Digital Home Agent. In addition, the FAP can perform UE-to-UE CS media breakout to facilitate communication between UEs attached to the FAP, without routing the traffic through the core macro network.

Abstract: A method includes sending a polling message from a management system to a set-top box device. The polling message requests service data related to quality of service associated with the set-top box device. The method includes receiving, at the management system, quality parameters from the set-top box device in response to the polling message. The method includes selecting a representative color that corresponds to the quality of service. The method also includes sending a quality indicator from the management system to a display. The quality indicator displays the representative color and an identification of the set-top box device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for a control point of initiating actions on a device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a method for a device of initiating actions on said device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a control point of initiating actions on a device in a communication network comprising at least two control point both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device based on action requests received from a control point along with control point identification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a terahertz link using a multi-element lens array that comprises a plurality of active beam steering device are disclosed. For example, the method receives detected terahertz signals from one or more detectors, where an active beam steering device is deployed with each of the one or more detectors, and determines, for each of the detected signals, if the detected signal is out of focus from a focus point. The method applies a corrective signal to each active beam steering device that corresponds to a detected terahertz signal that is out of focus from the focus point, wherein the corrective signal causes the detected signal to be redirected, and measures a signal-to-noise ratio of the detected signals. The method then establishes the terahertz link via at least one of the detected terahertz signals with a highest signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: An underwater light-equipped watercraft system includes a watercraft and a removable submersible lighting system. The lighting system includes a harness and a light unit coupled to the harness. The watercraft has a bottom surface that is disposed underwater when the watercraft is used in the water. The harness is removably mounted around at least a portion of the watercraft such that the light unit is disposed against the bottom surface of the watercraft.

Abstract: A flow cytometer including a laser, indexing structure, adjustment structure, and sensor structure. The cytometer is conventionally used with a removable microfluidic cassette, which is installed at a first position that is enforced by the indexing structure. The adjustment structure changes a relative position between an interrogation aperture of the cassette and the laser beam. Feedback from the sensor structure is used to optimize propagation of the laser through the interrogation aperture to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) autofluorescence caused by beam impingement onto the cassette.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request related to a set top box, the request having a public identifier of the set top box and a user account identifier. The public identifier is accessible by a user associated with the set top box. The method also includes accessing a user record, corresponding to a location, from a database of user records. The method further includes determining, from the user record, a private identifier of the set top box corresponding to the public identifier of the set top box, wherein the private identifier is unique to the set top box among a set of set top boxes associated with the user record and the private identifier is inaccessible by the user and using the private identifier to perform an action related to the set top box in response to the request.

Abstract: An enhanced amplifier circuit includes an amplifier having an input and an output and a current source. A diode is coupled between the current source and the input of the amplifier. The enhanced amplifier circuit may include a number of current sources with associated diodes and amplifiers. The diode prevents the amplifier from interacting with some undesired properties of the current source, such as capacitance and resistance, prevents current sources from interacting with one another, and allows for the use of intrinsic properties of the diode to modify the current source output signal, among other advantages.

Abstract: Methods for transferring a set of data from a first processing device to a second processing device are provided. Pursuant to these methods a secure shell (“SSH”) authentication is performed to authenticate a first user that is logged onto the first processing device to a second user that is logged onto the second processing device. The set of data is divided into a first data subset and a second data subset. The first data subset is encrypted to provide an encrypted data set. The encrypted data set is transferred from the first processing device to the second processing device. The second data subset is also transferred from the first processing device to the second processing device, but without encrypting the second data subset. Related data transfer systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products automatically creates a calendar entry for an electronic calendar application. A graphical user interface is displayed having a text field and a date and time field. Whenever a user wishes to create a calendar entry, the user populates the text field and the date and time field. The user then selects a graphical control that automatically creates the calendar entry in the electronic calendar application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrosion inhibitor for use in the oil and gas exploration, recovery and processing industries. In particular, the invention relates to a quaternary ammonium compound suitable for use as such a corrosion inhibitor, to the manufacture of the quaternary ammonium compound, to compositions containing it, and to methods of using it. Quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention have the formula (I) in which R is C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl; X, Y, and Z are each independently hydrogen, or R1CO—, provided that at least one of X, Y and Z is R1CO, where R1 is C5-23 alkyl or alkenyl containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; D is C2-6 alkylene; E is C2-4 alkylene; p, q and r are each, independently, integers from 0 to 20, with the proviso that p+q+r is from 3 to 20; and A? is an anion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for modifying the properties of a thin layer (1) formed on the surface of a support (2) forming a substrate (3) utilized in the field of microelectronics, nanoelectronics or microtechnology, nanotechnology, characterized in that it consists of: forming at least one thin layer (1) on a nanostructured support with high specific surface (2), and treating the nanostructured support with high specific surface (2) to generate internal strains in the support causing its deformation at least in the plane of the thin layer so as to ensure corresponding deformation of the thin layer to modify its properties.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of elongated strands having joinder regions uniting adjacent strands at a distance along a length of an outer perimeter of the elongated strands, the elongate strands being configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The elongated strands form a surface of a mesh when the joinder regions are coupled. The apparatus may further include a manducable protrusion coupled to the mesh and extending a distance away from an exterior surface of the mesh.