Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing a telephone docking apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wireless wide area network telephone, e.g., PCS telephone, and a wireless local area telephone interface. In addition, the disclosed PCS telephone docking apparatus includes battery chargers, a speakerphone, a visual display, a USB interface, and a media reader/writer interface. To receive or make a PCS telephone call from the cordless telephone, a user places their PCS telephone in the PCS telephone docking apparatus, and uses the wireless local area telephone to receive or make calls. Text messages and images may also be transferred to/from the PCS telephone and external devices when using the PCS telephone docking apparatus.

Abstract: A ranked list of search results is received from a search engine based on a search query. A relevance value of a particular search result in the ranked list is estimated based on its rank and actual relevance values and ranks of at least two others of the search results.

Abstract: A broadcast overlay network has a ring topology to carry broadcast traffic from a head-end network. A digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) has a network interface in communication with the broadcast overlay network. The DSLAM is to receive a request for a particular video channel from a customer premise via a line interface and to deliver the particular video channel from the network interface to the line interface.

Abstract: An access provider technician can inquire, from a remote location, a status of an upper-layer communication indicator. For example, a technician, after receiving a trouble call from an end-user, can ask the end-user the visual status of the upper-layer communication indicator. Next, the technician can enter the status into data storage, for example, an electronic job ticket. A first set of actions is performed if the status indicates valid communication. A second set of actions is performed if the status indicates invalid communication. The upper-layer communication indicator indicates a high layer communication status, for example, layer 3 of the OSI model, such as a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) authentication status.

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: A computer site posts an electronic form which displays criteria for infringement of a particular patent. The electronic form accepts first user input to identify an infringement target and second user input to describe how the infringement target meets the criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for utilizing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone with a built-in VPN client is disclosed. A VoIP telephone with an internal VPN client module incorporated into the VoIP telephone establishes a VPN tunnel directly from the VoIP telephone VPN client to an IP-PBX network access point. A VPN session, established in response to keypad input from a user of the VoIP telephone, is conducted over the VPN tunnel to a remote location. In a disclosed method, a secured VoIP telephone communication link is established by receiving a request from a user of the VoIP telephone, processing the request, and sending a signal from the VoIP telephone unit's VPN client over a data interface to a remote location. After exchange of authentication messages between the VoIP telephone VPN client and a remote location's VPN server, a VPN session is established.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for utilizing a stand-alone Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone with traditional plain old telephone service (POTS) telephone support is disclosed. A stand-alone VoIP telephone with an analog telephone adaptor supporting a plurality of external analog telephone sets and a digital Internet protocol (IP) interface to support VoIP voice data communication over a data channel is presented. The VoIP telephone is used to establish VoIP service line data connections between a VoIP telephone and a data switch to an IP network. The VoIP telephone receives an analog telephone signal from an external analog telephone and establishes a voice connection between the external analog telephone and the VoIP telephone.

Abstract: A digital display monitor module (DDMM) has a display device to display video provided thereto. An interactive network module (INM) removably interfaces with the DDMM to provide the video signals to the DDMM. The INM comprises an input interface and a programmable conditional access system (PCAS) to enable conditional access to at least one premium television service received by the input interface. The PCAS is programmable by at least two different service providers.

Abstract: A system and method for providing ultrawide band (UWB) communications service including voice, data, and video signals to a number of neighboring dwelling units or community access centers via a Passive Optical Network (PON) are presented. A neighborhood pedestal can be provided to serve multiple neighboring dwelling units equipped with user access. Public access centers can provide an ultrawide band signal via a PON to reach a plurality of signal receiving locations to serve a community of users. Electrical power to an UWB device may be supplied via an electrical power grid. Alternately, due to the low power consumption of UWB devices, a solar panel, or metallic-sheathed fiber cable with a center metallic member may be utilized to deliver power to the PON/UWB devices.

Abstract: A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.