Abstract: The present invention facilitates communications between a first network and a second network using an information routing device having an auto-configuration feature. The auto-configuration feature negotiates what authentication protocol will be used when the networks transfer information. Once the authentication protocol is negotiated by the device, the device intercepts and stores information transferred between networks. In this manner, the device can emulate a first network when coupled to a second network by providing the necessary stored information directly to the second network, and vice versa.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling network activity of network appliances are provided, in which the network activity is transmitted to at least one controlling mobile communications device such as a cellular telephone or wireless telephone-enabled personal digital assistant. Internet access filtering technology is provided wherein Internet access of a monitoring network appliance may be selectively blocked based upon predefined rules, and information regarding Internet access activities, whether blocked or not, may be redirected to multiple controlling mobile communications devices for review based on other predefined rules. The predefined rules may be modified dynamically by sending a command from the controlling mobile communications device to the monitoring network appliance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively providing telephone service that is either PSTN-based on Internet-based using a standard analog telephone circuit. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hardware module and associated software for coupling a personal computer or Internet appliance and a standard analog telephone. The apparatus includes a DTMF interface circuit, a subscriber line interface circuit, a ring detection circuit, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the PC or Internet appliance. The apparatus permits the analog telephone to be toggled between an Internet-based telephone mode and a PSTN-network mode by inputting a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor, modem and optionally, analog telephone circuit, to provide a stand-alone or partially-integrated device capable of selectively switching between PSTN-based and Internet-based telephony services.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling network activity of a network appliances in real-time are provided, in which the network activity is transmitted to at least one controlling network appliance. Internet access filtering technology and instant message technology are combined so that Internet access of a monitoring network appliance may be selectively blocked based upon predefined rules, and Internet access activities, whether blocked or not, may be redirected to multiple controlling network appliances for review based on other predefined rules, wherein the monitoring network appliance and the controlling network appliance may be buddies in an instant message network. The predefined rules may be modified dynamically by sending a command from the controlling network appliance to monitoring network appliance.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling network activity of one or more network appliances in real-time is provided. The network activity of a network appliance may be monitored by the network appliance itself or, if the network appliance is in a LAN, by a network gateway in the LAN. The network activity is transmitted to one or more controlling network appliances based on which type of IP address is assigned to the monitoring network appliances and the controlling network appliances. The controlling network appliances control the network activity of the monitored network appliances by sending a command to the monitored network appliances with or without user intervention. The monitored network appliances execute the command to control their network activity in real-time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time monitoring and controlling of network or network appliance activity through use of instant messaging software on a smart network appliance are provided. Network and network appliance activity are monitored by a smart network appliance and communicated to a user, server, or other network appliance via instant messaging. The smart network appliance acts as an instant messaging client, with its own screen name and buddy list. A command set is provided in the smart network appliance to enable the buddies in the buddy list to order the smart network appliance to perform an action by sending an instant message to the smart network appliance, the instant message including a command from the command set.

Abstract: Methods for facilitating the installation of computer devices are provided. An installation application that runs on a user's personal computer may be used to facilitate the installation of a device that is connected to the personal computer with a cable or a wireless connection. At the beginning of the installation process, the installation application may check to determine whether the user has properly formed the connection between the device and the personal computer. If the connection has not been formed properly, the user may be informed and appropriate remedial actions may be taken before the installation process is complete.

Abstract: A system and method for providing uninterrupted Internet access to users in a local area network is described. The system and method provide failure recovery of a high-speed modem through dial-up modem access without requiring additional hardware in the router. The system and method enable the router to automatically switch from a high-speed modem to a dial-up modem so that the switch is transparent to all the users in the local area network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing uninterrupted Internet access to users in a local area network is described. The system and method provide failure recovery of a high-speed modem through dial-up modem access without requiring additional hardware in the router. The system and method enable the router to automatically switch from a high-speed modem to a dial-up modem so that the switch is transparent to all the users in the local area network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively providing telephone service that is either PSTN-based or Internet-based using a standard analog telephone circuit. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hardware module and associated software for coupling a personal computer or Internet appliance and a standard analog telephone. The apparatus includes a DTMF interface circuit, a subscriber line interface circuit, a ring detection circuit, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the PC or Internet appliance. The apparatus permits the analog telephone to be toggled between an Internet-based telephone mode and a PSTN-network mode by inputting a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor, modem and optionally, analog telephone circuit, to provide a stand-alone or partially-integrated device capable of selectively switching between PSTN-based and Internet-based telephony services.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a portable electronic device, such as an MP3 player; portable radio, voice recorder, or portable CD player are disclosed. A touchpad is mounted on the housing of the device, and a user enters commands by tracing patterns with his finger on a surface of the touchpad. No immediate visual feedback is provided as a command pattern is traced, and the user does not need to view the device to enter commands. A microcontroller within the device matches the pattern traced by the user against a plurality of preset patterns, each of which corresponds to a predefined function or command of the device. If the pattern traced by the user is a reasonably close match to any of the preset patterns, the device performs the predefined function corresponding to the matched pattern. The touchpad replaces the numerous buttons that are typically used to control portable electronic devices, thereby enhancing usability and reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates communications between a first network and a second network using an information routing device having an auto-configuration feature. The auto-configuration feature negotiates what authentication protocol will be used when the networks transfer information. Once the authentication protocol is negotiated by the device, the device intercepts and stores information transferred between networks. In this manner, the device can emulate a first network when coupled to a second network by providing the necessary stored information directly to the second network, and vice versa.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively providing telephone service that is either PSTN-based on Internet-based using a standard analog telephone circuit. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hardware module and associated software for coupling a personal computer or Internet appliance and a standard analog telephone. The apparatus includes a DTMF interface circuit, a subscriber line interface circuit, a ring detection circuit, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the PC or Internet appliance. The apparatus permits the analog telephone to be toggled between an Internet-based telephone mode and a PSTN-network mode by inputting a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor, modem and optionally, analog telephone circuit, to provide a stand-alone or partially-integrated device capable of selectively switching between PSTN-based and Internet-based telephony services.

Abstract: A modem that handles interruptions caused by call waiting signals is described. When the modem detects a call waiting signal, the modem alerts the user to the presence of the call waiting signal, and permits the user to answer the incoming call by taking a local phone that is connected to the modem off-hook. When the local phone is taken off-hook, the modem automatically generates a hook-flash signal to switch to the incoming call. When the user places the local phone back on-hook, the modem generates another hook-flash signal to resume (if possible) the modem connection. Additionally, the modem prevents a “fallback”, in which the modem switches from its current protocol to a lower-speed protocol, during a “retrain” process caused by a call waiting event.

Abstract: A combination audio, modem, and network interface card for use with a personal computer is described. The card has a standard Audio/Modem Riser (AMR) edge connector for providing signals to the audio and modem portions of the card. A second edge connector, preferably conforming to the PCI specification, provides signals to the network interface portion of the card. A socket through which the card may be plugged into a motherboard is also described. The socket has an AMR portion, positioned so that it can accept a either a standard AMR card or the AMR edge connector of the combination card, and a PCI portion, that permits it to receive the second edge connector of the combination card.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically selecting a computer on a local area network to become a server providing shared access to a wide area network, such as the Internet, to all of the computers on the local area network is disclosed. A server may be selected from among any of the computers on the local area network that is currently available (i.e. powered on), and capable of establishing a connection to the wide area network. If the current server shuts down, a new server may be selected and started with only minimal impact on the other computers on the local area network, which are automatically reconfigured to use the new server to route network traffic to the wide area network.

Abstract: A voltage comparator for comparing a first input voltage to a second input voltage includes a first transistor having a gate to which the first input voltage is applied and a second transistor having a gate to which the second input voltage is applied. Third and fourth transistors, coupled to the first and second transistors respectively, each conduct a first current in response to a first reference voltage being applied to a gate of each transistor. A fifth transistor is coupled to the first and second transistors and has a gate to which a second reference voltage is applied to maintain a sum of currents conducted by the first and second transistors equal to a second current. A reference generation circuit is coupled to the third, fourth and fifth transistors and is configured to generate the first and second reference voltages having magnitudes which set the second current equal to twice the first current.

Abstract: A circuit for modulating an N-phase first waveform having a frequency F.sub.O with an N-phase second waveform having a frequency F.sub.M. The circuit includes N number of limited swing driver circuits. Each limited swing driver circuit has generator means for generating one phase of a third waveform in response to one phase of the first waveform so that the third waveform has a frequency F.sub.O and a voltage swing that is less than a voltage swing of the first waveform. The circuit also includes N number of multiplier circuits. Each multiplier circuit is coupled to one of the limited swing driver circuits and has multiply means for multiplying one phase of the third waveform with one phase of the second waveform and for generating first and second currents having a difference which is proportional to a product of the one phase of the third waveform and the one phase of the second waveform.

Abstract: A data alignment logic cell properly aligns the individual data units (e.g., bytes) in a block of data that is transferred in a multiple bit bus such that the data units in the block are transferred to desired lanes of the bus. The data alignment logic cell includes a gathering unit, which aligns the data units into a fixed, justified arrangement in the bus, and a scattering unit, which receives the data units from the gathering unit and realigns them to the desired lanes. Both the gathering and scattering units contain registers for temporarily storing certain of the data units and multiplexers for transferring the data units between the lanes of the bus, the state of the multiplexers being determined by signals from control units.