Abstract: An internet telephony system (ITS) comprising a browser display having a hyperlink, communicating with a server, retrieving a user's preferences, and initiating a voice communication with the user, through a communications channel defined by the user preferences. An ITS comprising a client system having an Internet browser, and a server hosting a Web site, wherein a message is transmitted from the server to the client system based on the user's status with respect to Web site, the user seeking to establish a voice communication session. A telephony server, comprising an application program communicating directly with telephony hardware, and an application programming interface, wherein the application program includes a call function to an external program. An ITS, comprising a browser display having a hyperlink, the hyperlink communicating with a server, retrieving a user-related data, and initiating a voice communication with the user, wherein the user is charged for the communication.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable dynamic repartitioning of data storage in response to one or more triggers. In embodiments, a trigger may be a user-initiated action, a system-generated action, and/or an inference based on storage usage parameters. Applications of the present invention are its use in embodiments of a storage management system comprising a file system manager and a volume manager, where the placement of data into a partition (data storage region) may be specified by matching one or more disk region placement data attributes assigned to data with corresponding disk region attributes. In embodiments, dynamic repartitioning comprises adjustment of the location of the boundary between adjacent disk partitions and, if necessary, rebalancing of the data stored within the partitions by identifying mismatched data and relocating it to the partition with which it is associated.

Abstract: An internet telephony system (ITS) comprising a browser display having a hyperlink, communicating with a server, retrieving a user's preferences, and initiating a voice communication with the user, through a communications channel defined by the user preferences. An ITS comprising a client system having an Internet browser, and a server hosting a Web site, wherein a message is transmitted from the server to the client system based on the user's status with respect to Web site, the user seeking to establish a voice communication session. A telephony server, comprising an application program communicating directly with telephony hardware, and an application programming interface, wherein the application program includes a call function to an external program. An ITS, comprising a browser display having a hyperlink, the hyperlink communicating with a server, retrieving a user-related data, and initiating a voice communication with the user, wherein the user is charged for the communication.

Abstract: A beach chair cover has a slip-over pouch which slides over the upper portion of a beach or lounge chair, with a lower portion that affixes to a beach chair. The cover has pockets hanging off of its sides, to hold various objects. The pockets can be open, or closable via a fastening device, with fold over flap. Underneath the cover's lower portion is a hidden pouch, securable via a small lock, or otherwise. The pouch, invisible to passers-by, can hold wallets, cash, or other items. The cover can have a series of sewn-in loops, e.g., on its sides, which can hold a wire for earphones or a small speaker. The beach chair cover can be folded up into a slip-over pouch, and carried by means of an integrated handle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable dynamic repartitioning of data storage in response to one or more triggers. In embodiments, a trigger may be a user-initiated action, a system-generated action, and/or an inference based on storage usage parameters. Applications of the present invention are its use in embodiments of a storage management system comprising a file system manager and a volume manager, where the placement of data into a partition (data storage region) may be specified by matching one or more disk region placement data attributes assigned to data with corresponding disk region attributes. In embodiments, dynamic repartitioning comprises adjustment of the location of the boundary between adjacent disk partitions and, if necessary, rebalancing of the data stored within the partitions by identifying mismatched data and relocating it to the partition with which it is associated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for booting a clustered management system is provided where the configuration information required to boot the system is stored within the system itself. The techniques cope with several issues including finding the configuration data on the physical disk before the logical disk system is established, coping with replicated copies of configuration data, network partitions and disk drive failures that may prevent a booting node to have perfect knowledge of the state of the entire system, and active nodes modifying or moving configuration data while the booting node is searching for a consistent, correct copy of configuration data.

Abstract: An example feeding device includes a container and a controller that determines an orientation of the container. The controller activates a first stimulus when the container is in a first orientation and a second stimulus when the container is in another orientation. The first stimulus may please a child, and the second stimulus may displease a child.

Abstract: A method of automatically provisioning a network-wide function using a plurality of network elements in a service provider network and using a sub-network level approach is provided. In one specific approach, a software wizard facilitates provisioning a bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR). First user input, specifying a plurality of ring attribute values that define attributes of a bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Second user input, specifying one or more working spans for the bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Each of the network elements is automatically configured to participate in the bi-directional line switched ring based on the parameter values. Embodiments may provide a software wizard for implementing the foregoing process.

Abstract: Methods of hot-swapping a logical volume manager (LVM) and updating an associated extent map are presented. Methods for migrating a virtual machine running an application using an LVM from one physical machine to another physical machine are also presented. The LVM can be used by a database application or other applications in a single-node or multi-node environment. The LVM is shut down, version numbers for each segment of its associated extent map are saved, and a new LVM is started. The new LVM's extent map is compared with the old extent map, and segments in the LVM which have changed are selectively updated.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a firewall in a gateway network element between two IP based networks is provided. Packets can be filtered out that specify the gateway network element as the source, where the packet comes from the network that is not visible to the other network. For example, if a packet on DCC going to the gateway network element specifies the gateway network element as the source, the packet can be discarded.

Abstract: A system is provided for certifying two or more gemstones as being a matched pair. The system includes measuring values for at least four physical properties of a multiplicity of gemstones, identifying a first gemstone, a second gemstone, and optionally still further gemstones all being within match tolerances of the respective measured values, and certifying in a single certificate that based on the match tolerances, the gemstones constitute a matched set. Also disclosed is jewelry and a process for creating jewelry based on the certification system.

Abstract: A method of automatically provisioning a network-wide function using a plurality of network elements in a service provider network and using a sub-network level approach is provided. In one specific approach, a software wizard facilitates provisioning a bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR). First user input, specifying a plurality of ring attribute values that define attributes of a bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Second user input, specifying one or more working spans for the bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Each of the network elements is automatically configured to participate in the bi-directional line switched ring based on the parameter values. Embodiments may provide a software wizard for implementing the foregoing process.

Abstract: A method and system for representing a low-order connection and a high-order connection as a single circuit are disclosed. The method includes creating a low-order listener object and a low/high listener object at each end point of the low-order connection and creating a high-order listener object at each end point of the high-order connection. The low/high listener objects are matched with the high-order listener objects to create a link and represent the connections as a single circuit.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless transceiver transmits and receives wireless signals, and medium access controller independently initiates transitions from a scanning state to a power conserving state and from the power conserving state to the scanning state. In the scanning state, the medium access controller directs the wireless transceiver to receive frames on at least one wireless channel and the medium access controller scans the received frames for identifiers of one or more respective target access points. In the power conserving state, the medium access controller places at least one of the wireless transceiver and the medium access controller in a low-power mode of operation.

Abstract: An example feeding device includes a container and a controller that determines an orientation of the container. The controller activates a first stimulus when the container is in a first orientation and a second stimulus when the container is in another orientation. The first stimulus may please a child, and the second stimulus may displease a child.

Abstract: A portable processing device or system may permit a user to access a resource when a certain number of keys are present, according to an authentication policy and a context in which the certain number of keys are provided. In some contexts fewer or no keys may be required, while in other contexts more keys may be required. The authentication policy may be adaptable, such that a precautionary action may be taken when a previously unused combination of keys and a context are used. Further, the authentication policy may require a fewer number of keys close to a time of a last successful authentication and may require a larger number of keys as time passes since the last successful authentication. In some embodiments, a type of visual feedback of entered password text may change based on a security level.

Abstract: A method of automatically provisioning a network-wide function using a plurality of network elements in a service provider network and using a sub-network level approach is provided. In one specific approach, a software wizard facilitates provisioning a bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR). First user input, specifying a plurality of ring attribute values that define attributes of a bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Second user input, specifying one or more working spans for the bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Each of the network elements is automatically configured to participate in the bi-directional line switched ring based on the parameter values. Embodiments may provide a software wizard for implementing the foregoing process.

Abstract: In a wireless transmission method, an input data signal corresponding to a serial combination of a first transmit data signal and a second transmit data signal is received. The first and second transmit data signals are phase-modulated with different first and second spreading code signals to produce first and second DSSS transmit signals, which are serially output as a baseband transmit signal that is up-converted to a selected wireless transmission frequency range. The first and second phase-modulated signals are serially output as a baseband transmit signal. In a wireless reception method, an input receive signal is down-converted to a baseband receive signal corresponding to a serial combination of first and second time-interleaved DSSS receive signals in a baseband frequency range. The first and second DSSS receive signals are phase-demodulated with different first and second de-spreading code signals to produce first and second receive data signals.

Abstract: Multiprotocol multiplex wireless communication apparatus and methods are described. These apparatus and methods are capable of simultaneously communicating with multiple wireless environments in accordance with different wireless communications protocols. In particular, these apparatus and methods are capable of transmitting and receiving multiplex signals that include constituent data-carrying signals that conform to different wireless communications protocols.

Abstract: Systems and methods of wireless communications between a peripheral and a mobile unit in a wireless network environment are described. In one aspect, a trigger frame is wirelessly transmitted in accordance with a wireless local area network (LAN) communications protocol in response to a determination to acquire data wirelessly from a target peripheral. The trigger frame reserves a wireless channel for a duration sufficient to meet a time needed by the target peripheral to transmit local data. The target peripheral awaits receipt of a trigger frame from a target mobile unit before wirelessly transmitting local data. In response to receipt of the trigger frame, the target peripheral transmits the local data to the target mobile unit over the wireless channel during the reserved duration in accordance with a wireless local area network (LAN) communications protocol.