Abstract: A system and method for provisioning communications services. A remote device controlled by a user is linked with a provisioning system. A verbal selection of a menu associated with a library is received for performing one or more actions within the provisioning system. One or more verbal commands associated with the menu are received. A determination is made of an action within the library associated with the one or more verbal commands. The action associated with the one or more verbal commands is performed in the provisioning system to provision the communications services.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for network data plane management are provided. A system includes a host machine that includes a database, processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to obtain, via the database, a network configuration, spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface, receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes, and identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing media content streaming/downloading and playback, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing video quality optimization based on display capabilities. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive user input from a user indicating a user request for media content. The computing system might autonomously determine characteristics or attributes of a playback device (i.e., a display device and/or audio playback device, etc.). The computing system might send, to a media content source over a network, a request for the media content, the request comprising information regarding presentation characteristics that are based at least in part on the determined characteristics of the playback device.

Abstract: A system includes a first distribution point unit comprising a first backhaul interface coupled to an access network via a backhaul connection, a first distribution interface coupled to a downstream distribution point unit, one or more first drop cable interfaces coupled to at least one first customer premises via at least one first drop cable, and a first reverse power section. The system further includes a second distribution point unit communicatively coupled to the first distribution point unit, the second distribution point unit comprising a second backhaul interface coupled to the first distribution interface of the first distribution point unit, a second distribution interface configured to be coupled to a subsequent downstream distribution point unit, one or more second drop cable interfaces coupled to at least one second customer premises via at least one second drop cable, and a second reverse power section.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing applications management, based at least in part on operations, administration, and management (“OAM”) information. A host computing system might comprise a dedicated OAM management agent. While normal application frame flow might be sent or received by VMs running on the host computing system, OAM frame flow might be sent or received by the OAM management agent, which might also serve as an OAM frame generator. Alternatively, or additionally, based on a determination that at least one OAM frame has changed (in response to a change in address of far-end and/or near-end OAM server functions), the OAM management agent might update a list associating the at least one OAM frame that has changed with corresponding at least one VM of the one or more VMs, without restarting any of the at least one VM, the OAM management agent, and/or the host computing system.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe a testing framework for adaptive virtual services. In an example, a function vendor provides a network function having stated specifications to a service provider. A derived signature is generated for the network function (e.g., based on associated metadata, an image associated with the network function, and/or a network signature for the network function), which is used to classify the network function. The testing framework is used to test the network function according to its classification, thereby determining a set of capabilities. In examples, a network function having the same or similar signature as a previously tested network function may be categorized according to the previously tested network function. The network function is categorized according to its determined capabilities and added to an inventory of network functions for the service provider. Network functions in the inventory can then be selected to form a computer network.

Abstract: A jarring tool includes a main body having a central bore extending therein, an upper connection at a proximal end of the main body for attaching the jarring tool to wireline or slickline, a lower portion at a distal end of main body, and a reciprocating hammer fixed at a first position within the central bore of the main body. The jarring tool further includes a central aperture extending along a length of the reciprocating hammer, an electrical connector extending from the upper connection and through the central aperture of the reciprocating hammer to at least the lower portion of the main body, and a release mechanism on the main body for releasing the reciprocating hammer from the first position and allowing reciprocating movement of the reciprocating hammer along the central bore. The electrical connector is configured to break when the reciprocating hammer is released from the first position.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network access configurations, and, more particularly, for implementing restricted Wi-Fi access configuration between public and private service set identifiers (“SSIDs”). In some embodiments, a user might request public network access using a user device. A network device, which is in communication with the user device might receive the request for public network access from the user device. The network device might determine whether the user device is associated with a first identifier that is associated with a user having network private access to the network through the network device. If not, the network device might provide the user device with network public access to the network(s), via a network public access path. If so, the network device might prevent the user device from having network public access to the network(s).

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a computing system or IoT management node might receive sensor data from one or more IoT-capable sensors, analyze the sensor data to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices associated with a customer premises; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system or IoT management node then autonomously controls each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, and so on).

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing antenna alignment, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing antenna alignment using a gimbal. In various embodiments, a gimbal system might be provided. The gimbal system may be at least one of a passive two-axis gimbal, a passive three-axis gimbal, an active two-axis gimbal, and/or an active three-axis gimbal. At least one antenna may be coupled to the gimbal system. The gimbal system may be configured to compensate for at least one of a movement of a structure and/or a wind load on the at least one antenna. Additionally and/or alternatively, the gimbal system may be configured to align the antenna toward the position and orientation where there is the signal quality is optimized.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a first IoT-capable device might receive beacon data from each of one or more other IoT-capable devices in a self-organizing network (“SON”) of IoT devices, might compare the received beacon data with stored beacon data, and might send at least one first data to a computing system to update the computing system of any changes in the SON (indicating, without limitation, new devices, failed devices, disabled devices, devices that have moved out of range, etc.). The computing system might receive and analyze the at least one first data to determine a status of each IoT-capable device in the SON, might generate control instructions, and might autonomously send the control instructions to at least one of the IoT-capable devices in the SON to improve the functionality of the SON.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for invoking virtualized network functions. In some embodiments, a programmable service backbone might comprise at least one virtualized network function, and might provide virtualized network functions required to provision a service offering. In some cases, at least one application programming interface might be configured to invoke the at least one virtualized network function of the programmable service backbone. An application programming interface gateway might be configured to manage access to the at least one application programming interface, and the application programming interface gateway might comprise a security layer.

Abstract: A setting tool for deploying a downhole tool within a wellbore is described herein. The setting tool uses an in situ non-explosive gas-generating power source to generate high-pressure gas, which drives a mechanical linkage to actuate the deployment of the downhole tool. According to certain embodiments the non-explosive gas-generating setting tool contains no hydraulic stages and may contain only a single piston. The setting tool may be fitted to provide different stroke lengths and can provide usable power over a greater percentage of its stroke length, compared to setting tools using explosive/pyrotechnic power sources. Methods of using a non-explosive gas-generating setting tool to deploy a downhole tool within a wellbore are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of localized delivery of a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent to nasal tissue or cavities includes inserting a catheter into a nasal cavity, the catheter having an outer balloon with at least one opening therethrough and an inner surface, and an inner balloon disposed in the outer balloon and at least partially enclosing an inflation chamber and having an outer surface defining a space between the outer surface of the inner balloon and the inner surface of the outer balloon, supplying the agent to the space between the outer surface of the inner balloon and the inner surface of the outer balloon via a first lumen of the catheter, and inflating the inner balloon by supplying fluid to the inflation chamber via a second lumen of the catheter to urge the agent out of the opening in the wall of the outer balloon and into nasal tissue.

Abstract: A steerable member is disclosed generally having a steerable member for a medical apparatus, including a continuous, elongated body having a proximal section, a distal section, and a middle section between the proximal and distal sections, where the proximal section of the elongated body is less flexible than the distal section. At least one pull wire sheath extends through the proximal section and the middle section, but not through the distal section, and has a channel therethrough. A pull wire is disposed in the channel of the sheath and extends through the proximal section, middle section and distal section of the elongated body, the pull wire having a distal end affixed to a distal end of the elongated body, so that the distal section of the elongated body bends in response to a force applied to the proximal end of the pull wire.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing extension of customer local area networks (“LANs”) and/or implementing isolated service overlays over a network. In some embodiments, a network service point that is located external to a demarcation point at each of a plurality of customer premises might establish a connection between a service provider network and a customer LAN, which has already been established within a customer premises. The system subsequently extends the customer LAN, via this connection, to span between the network service point and the customer premises. Alternatively, or additionally, the system might establish two or more isolated service overlays across the customer LAN between the network service point and the customer premises, each of the two or more isolated service overlays having network traffic that is isolated from network traffic transmitted along another of the two or more isolated service overlays.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing telecommunications signal relays, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing telecommunications signal relays using radiating closures (either aerial, below grade, and/or buried, etc.), or the like. In various embodiments, a signal distribution system, which might be disposed within a radiating closure, might receive a first communications signal. A wireless transceiver of the signal distribution system might send the first communications signal, via one or more wireless communications channels, to one or more devices that are external to the radiating closure. In some embodiments, antennas—which might comprise first antennas disposed within the radiating closure or second antennas embedded in a housing material of the radiating closure, or both—might direct the first communications signal that is sent from the wireless transceiver to the one or more devices.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing virtual platform media access control (“MAC”) address-based layer 2 and layer 3 network switching. In some embodiments, a method might comprise receiving, at a network node in a network, a data packet having a header comprising a MAC destination address, and routing, with the network node, the data packet over open systems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3 or network layer of the network, based at least in part on the MAC destination address in the header of the data packet. The MAC destination address comprises a first portion comprising an organizationally unique identifier (“OUI”) and a second portion comprising an identifier for a destination network interface controller (“NIC”) and/or virtual NIC (“VNIC”), which might be associated either with the same service provider associated with the network node or the network or with a different service provider, content provider, and/or application provider.

Abstract: A method of preparing graphene from coal can include thermally processing raw coal and, after the coal has been at least partially cooled from thermal processing, forming reduced graphene oxide from the coal.

Abstract: A wireless testing system is provided that testing transmission speeds associated with a WLAN or other wireless network. In one instance, a network transmission between a device in a telecommunications network and a modem be measured and initiated via an application executed on a mobile device. One or more Wi-Fi speed tests may also be performed to determine a transmission speed between a wireless device associated with the premises and the modem of the WLAN. To conduct the Wi-Fi speed test, a mobile device (such as the mobile device executing the application) may transmit, in some instances in response to an input to the mobile device, an instruction to the test controller to conduct the Wi-Fi speed test. The measured transmission speeds may be controlled by a controller that may store the speed test results in a network repository available to the mobile device.