Abstract: SIP INVITE messages received at a load balancer are returned as SIP Redirect messages which are addressed to an access director and include additional information, such as a tracing token and a cryptographic token. When the access director receives the redirected SIP INVITE, the access director analyzes the included cryptographic token and passes the SIP INVITE if the cryptographic token is correct. This provides the needed access control function to allow the access directors to be directly accessed by the endpoints, rather than funneling all communications through the load balancer.

Abstract: A non-Skype multipoint control unit (MCU) is configured to operate differently for handling incoming streams from endpoints and outgoing streams from a Skype multipoint control unit. When passing incoming streams from non-Skype endpoints to a Skype conference, the non-Skype MCU acts as a gateway, passing the streams to Skype MCU as if they were coming from Skype endpoints. When receiving outgoing streams from Skype MCU, the non-Skype MCU acts as an MCU, transcoding, compositing, and scaling streams into continuous presence layouts for delivery to the non-Skype endpoints. Thus, non-Skype endpoints can participate in Skype conferences as if they were Skype endpoints, allowing a better user experience for both Skype endpoints and non-Skype endpoints.

Abstract: A non-Skype multipoint control unit (MCU) is configured to operate differently for handling incoming streams from endpoints and outgoing streams from a Skype multipoint control unit. When passing incoming streams from non-Skype endpoints to a Skype conference, the non-Skype MCU acts as a gateway, passing the streams to Skype MCU as if they were coming from Skype endpoints. When receiving outgoing streams from Skype MCU, the non-Skype MCU acts as an MCU, transcoding, compositing, and scaling streams into continuous presence layouts for delivery to the non-Skype endpoints. Thus, non-Skype endpoints can participate in Skype conferences as if they were Skype endpoints, allowing a better user experience for both Skype endpoints and non-Skype endpoints.

Abstract: SIP INVITE messages received at a load balancer are returned as SIP Redirect messages which are addressed to an access director and include additional information, such as a tracing token and a cryptographic token. When the access director receives the redirected SIP INVITE, the access director analyzes the included cryptographic token and passes the SIP INVITE if the cryptographic token is correct. This provides the needed access control function to allow the access directors to be directly accessed by the endpoints, rather than funneling all communications through the load balancer.

Abstract: This invention improves umbrellas for anti-collapsible use in gusty winds, where the umbrella main cover will have holes therein arranged outwardly around the umbrella shaft part way out to the main cover periphery, and a secondary cover will overlie the main cover and all holes therein. Elastic ties are connected between the periphery of the secondary cover and the umbrella arms at their outer ends, normally stretching the secondary cover radially tight and at least peripherally against the main cover. However, the elastic ties allow separation of the main and secondary covers. Thus, under high or gusty wind conditions, air accumulated under the main cover can be vented upwardly through the main cover holes to between the covers and radially then to beyond the secondary cover periphery, relieving the mechanical forces tending to invert and collapse the umbrella. Nonetheless, the secondary cover will yet overlies said holes to block rain from passing through the holes and wetting the user.

Abstract: The disclosed tag system is comprised of a plurality of split ring tags each having sufficient stiffness to normally retain its opposed end edges aligned, maintaining a gap therebetween smaller than a handle cross section, and having resilience and a shape memory to allow manual tag flexing so as to allow any tag to be fitted onto or remove it from the container handle. Each tag opening is irregular, being defined by first and second alternated contour edges on the split ring body, whereby the first contour edges, if continuous, would define a first large opening and the second contour edges, if continuous, would define a second opening smaller than the first opening. The second contoured edges is defined by projections suited to be flexed as needed to fit against the handle as the tag is positioned on the handle, making the tag useable on handles over a range of different sizes and shapes between the first and second openings.

Abstract: The disclosed tag system is comprised of a plurality of split ring tags, each defining a substantially enclosed opening larger than the cross section of the handle of a container, such as a coffee cup intended for holding a customer's beverage. Each tag has sufficient stiffness to normally retain its opposed end edges aligned, maintaining a gap therebetween smaller than the handle cross section. Each tag is resilient and has a shape memory, to allow manual tag flexing so as to allow any specific tag to be fitted onto or remove it from the container handle. The system provides that the tags are visually distinct, allowing a coded identification between specific tags and beverages and the visual identification of the beverage in or intended for a tagged container corresponding to the tag thereon.

Abstract: The disclosed disposable pad device has a generally symmetrical shape with spaced corners and connecting peripherial edges, defining a broad area suited to be laid out flat on the ground with a peripheral edges outermost. Narrow elongated generally stiff reinforcing strips are secured along their lengths to the pad and respectively extend generally inboardly from the pad corners toward the pad interior region to be spaced apart only slightly at their inboard ends, thereby defining a small nonreinforced interior pad region that can be folded easily over and around any pet excrements on the pad when forming the carrying bag. Flexible handles are connected off of the reinforcing strips and extended outboardly beyond the peripheral pad edges at the corners, and have inside openings sized for finger hooking by the person walking the pet, for suspended carriage of the pad when formed to the carrying bag.

Abstract: A method for treating ambulatory disease in a human patient having a torso, buttocks, legs, feet and hands, which legs and feet execute a normal stride pattern. A walker has a chassis having interconnected tubes all contained within a single plane, which chassis fits within the normal stride pattern without substantial obstruction thereof. A telescopically adjustable straddle seat is affixed to the chassis which allows the patient's legs to be disposed moveably forward and backward on opposite sides of the seat. A rotatable handlebar rotated at least one wheel of the walker. Wheels are affixed on the underside of the chassis. The patient is seated on the walker so as to support a portion of the patient's weight, but not the entirety thereof, when the patient is standing in a normal upright positure with the buttocks resting on the seat. The patient walks in the normal stride pattern while steering the walker with the hands on the handlebar.