Abstract: This invention is an oligomer-based analog neural network (ANN) comprising weight and saturation oligomers, the concentrations of which are selected such that activation of the ANN by a set of input oligomers generates a set of output oligomers, the sequences and relative concentrations of which are dependent on the sequences and relative concentrations of the input oligomers. The invention further includes methods for using such an ANN for solving any problems amenable to solution by a trained neural network. A preferred embodiment of the claimed invention is a DNA-based ANN that accepts cDNA molecules as inputs and analyzes the gene expression profile of the cells from which the cDNA is derived. The DNA-based ANN is typically trained with a computer to identify the weights giving accurate mapping of the inputs to the outputs; and the concentrations of weight oligomers of the DNA-based ANN are then selected accordingly.

Abstract: An interferometric technique measures the time-dependent electric field of a periodic or a non-periodic (data-encoded) optical signal under test using samples of its interference with a reference source of short optical pulses. The reference signal is a sequence of optical pulses at a repetition rate different from that of the signal under test. The difference in repetition rates of the two signals performs a scanning of the relative delay between the two signals, i.e. each pulse from the reference signal will overlap with the signal under test at a different time. The real and imaginary part of each of the plurality of interference between the two signals are then measured to determine samples of the electric field of the optical signal under test at each of those times. When needed, various types of averaging are performed on the samples of the electric field.

Abstract: An exemplary method in a wireless telecommunication system determines that a radio frequency (RF) communications link is not available to a wireless mobile. Information about a party originating a call to the wireless mobile is received and stored in a record associated with the wireless mobile. An alert flag associated with the wireless mobile is set. Upon determining that an RF link has become available to the wireless mobile and upon detecting the presence of the set alert flag, a communication action is automatically taken by which the party is made aware that an RF link is available to the wireless mobile, such as by sending a message to the party based on information stored about the party in the record.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for adapting a communications network of a plurality of wireless access nodes, such as base stations to a changing environment. The method comprises determining a current location of at least a first user in the communications network, identifying a need for change in at least one parameter associated with a position of a first base station of the plurality of base stations based on the current location of the first user, and implementing a first response in the communications network in response to the need for change for the first base station. In this way, a self-deploying wireless access network may autonomously reposition base stations in a changing environment of user distributions across a coverage area and/or user demand by users of wireless communication devices, such as mobile units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing the perimeter security of communications networks. More particularly, information is identified which defines a particular communications network, e.g., an intranet, and identifying the connected hosts thereto. Utilizing such information, a determination is made with respect to identifying the routes that define the network. Utilizing the routing information, the connectivity of the hosts within the network, e.g., an intranet, is probed to ascertain the integrity of the network and thereby identifying potential security risks across the perimeter defense of the network.

Abstract: A clustering based load adaptive sleeping protocol for ad hoc networks includes a plurality of nodes forming a cluster, where the nodes in the cluster are partitioned into n groups. This partitioning is performed based on the node ID (e.g. node_id modulo n). The cluster head transmits a beacon at fixed intervals. The beacon interval is divided into N slots, where N is a multiple of n. Node sleep/activation times are synchronized to the beacon interval slots. The node's group number is used to determine the slots within a beacon interval that a node begins it s sleep cycle. Therefore, no additional signaling is required between nodes to indicate sleep patterns. The sleeping time of each node may be increased when extended periods of inactivity are detected according to an adaptive procedure.

Abstract: A ConnectIcon View is employed to establish collaborative communications between a plurality of participants in a group. Specifically, it is a dynamic visual representation of the participants of a group being invited to communicate together with their presence information, lists of documents and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to be examined, and a set of mechanisms (email, chat, voice, and the like) to initiate communication, each of which can be billed to the originator or otherwise as desired. The available presence information allows a user to employ the best mode of communicating for the instant purpose, namely, either asynchronous communication or synchronous communication.

Abstract: An Internet Service Provider (ISP), in consideration of being remunerated in some manner by an e-merchant, carries the packets of a designated subset of that e-merchant's clients, designated as VIPs, in a privileged class of service as compared to an unprivileged class of service that is used to carry the packets of the e-merchant's other regular clients. In this way, the adverse effects on performance due to congestion in the unprivileged class of service, whether due to an ongoing denial-of-service attack or not, will not affect the performance of packets sent by and to VIPs using the privileged class of service. An e-merchant may select its VIPs from among those clients that bring in a majority of the e-merchant's revenues. An e-merchant turns a regular client into a VIP by granting it a VIP right.

Abstract: A new approach is described for scheduling uplink or downlink transmissions in a network having remote terminals communicating with a central hub. The scheduler keeps track of a token count. The token count for a given remote terminal is incremented by a target amount in each pertinent timeslot, but is also decremented each time that the remote terminal is served. The amount of the decrement for one timeslot is the amount of data served, i.e., transmitted to or from the remote terminal, in that timeslot. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the target amount by which T is incremented depends on the current value of T. Whenever the token count is non-negative (i.e., whenever it has a positive or zero value), the target amount is a desired floor, or lower limit, on an average amount of data delivered to or from the given remote terminal in one timeslot. Whenever the token count is negative, the target amount is a desired ceiling, or upper limit, on the same average amount of data delivered.

Abstract: A utility pole (10) includes: a first pole section (12); a second pole section (14) separate from the first pole section (12); and, a spring (36) joining the first and second pole sections together such that the first pole section (12) may, under an application of force thereto, tilt relative to the second pole section (14).

Abstract: A packet-switched network telephone system includes at least one set of telephone equipment adapted for connection with the packet-switched network and electronic registration upon connection, wherein the electronic registration is based on registration information stored on a portable data storage device. The portable data storage device includes a data storage medium, and the registration information stored on the data storage medium. A data reading device includes a data reading means for obtaining the registration information from the portable data storage device, and a data communication means for communicating the registration information to the at least one set of telephone equipment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented allowing VoIP phone users and other packet-based telecommunications service subscribers to have conference call content recorded live during conference calls involving three or more parties, with the subscriber being able to selectively pause the conference to answer other calls or perform other tasks while the live conference continues, and to thereafter playback the conference at a controllable speed and to rejoin the live conference.

Abstract: A method for location tracking on a distributed basis using multiple locations, which utilizes a pairwise application of distance constraints and vicinities for determining locations. The location of a particular node is represented by a group of points (as opposed to a single point) defined by the vicinity.

Abstract: Load balancing is supported for a plurality of nodes having loads determined by a plurality of task distributors. A periodic, iterative process based on loads of real-time data causes the total load of each node to tend to converge towards equalization of loads among all of the nodes.

Abstract: A method of data communication that includes receiving a plurality of 8b/10b encoded data streams. The method also includes multiplexing, on a word by word basis, each of the plurality of data streams and forming a new encoded data stream. The method also includes generating an interleaved encoded data stream substantially similar to an 8b/10b encoded spectrum from the new encoded data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing location based vendor information to a wireless mobile terminal is provided. The method includes receiving subscriber provisioned response criteria from a subscriber, receiving a request for location based vendor information from a subscriber mobile terminal, determining the location of the subscriber mobile terminal, retrieving location based vendor information for the mobile terminal's location, and sending the location based vendor information in a response satisfying the subscriber provisioned response criteria to the subscriber mobile terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a server component that sends one or more signals to cause an allocation of one or more network resources for an active call terminated to a mobile telephone upon initiation of a handoff. The handoff is between a packet-switched portion of a mobile switching center and a circuit-switched portion of a mobile switching center. The one or more network resources provide a translation between the packet-switched portion of the mobile switching center and the circuit-switched portion of the mobile switching center.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a calling customer with arrangements for enhanced alerting of called numbers. A customer defines an alerting list which is entered by the telephone company and can be modified by the customer. When the customer dials a special number, the telephone stations associated with the telephone numbers on that customer's enhanced alerting list are alerted either in parallel (as in flexible alerting) or sequentially under the control of the caller. Advantageously, a customer can arrange to alert a predefined group of called numbers in response to dialing a special number.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate and an organic semiconductor matrix being located over the substrate. The organic semiconductor matrix includes one of a polymer co-polymer or a stabilized pentacene. The polymer includes monomers of pentacene or a substituted pentacene. The stabilized pentacene is a substituted pentacene having a lower oxidation rate than pentacene.

Abstract: Apparatus including: a conduit body having a lining that bounds a channel having a longitudinal axis; the lining including a lining base; the lining including raised micro-scale features monolithic with the lining base. Apparatus including: a cavity body at least partially enclosing a cavity; the cavity having a lining that bounds a channel having a longitudinal axis; the lining including a lining base; the lining including raised micro-scale features monolithic with the lining base. Process including: providing a three-dimensional graphics design for a device having a superhydrophobic pattern of raised micro-scale features on a base, the base and the raised micro-scale features being monolithic; inputting the three-dimensional graphics design to a three-dimensional rapid prototype fabrication apparatus; and laying down build material and monolithically fabricating the base and the raised micro-scale features.