Abstract: An infrastructure that supports both Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony via the Internet and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) telephony via the PSTN. A plurality of client telephony bridging devices communicatively couple to both the Internet and to the PSTN and are operable to bridge calls between the Internet and the PSTN. Server processing circuitry communicatively couples to the plurality of client telephony bridging devices and is operable to receive a voice call setup request from a calling voice terminal via the Internet or PSTN. The server processing circuitry is operable to select a servicing telephony bridging device from the plurality of client telephony bridging devices. The servicing client telephony bridging device is operable to bridge an incoming call for the calling voice terminal between the Internet and the PSTN.

Abstract: A cable infrastructure includes a plurality of cable modem circuits communicatively coupled to a cable network and associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of subscribers. Each of a plurality of telephones has both a POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) interface and a unique telephone number and associates with a corresponding one of the plurality of subscribers. Each of a plurality of interface circuits couples one of the plurality of cable modem circuits with a corresponding one of the plurality of telephones via the POTS interface. A head end system communicatively couples to the cable network, the public switched telephony network, and the Internet network and supports address mapping that enables communication exchanges between one of the plurality of telephones and an Internet telephony device. The address mapping also enables communication exchanges between telephones serviced by differing head ends via an Internet pathway that is independent of the public switched telephony network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a network infrastructure operable to support the exchange of communications, such as textual, image, video and voice communications, between a first client terminal having a first user identifier and service by a first service provider and a second (destination) client terminal having a second user identifier and serviced by a second service provider. This network infrastructure includes a packet-switch network, a shared database and a number of client terminals serviced by different service providers. These terminals include a network interface and are identified by their service provider by a network address. The shared database associates user identifiers with network addresses. This allows a user to access the shared database in order to initiate a call request from the first client terminal to the second client terminal.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing one or more properties of a vehicle fluid has a tuning fork resonator adapted to contact the fluid. The tuning fork resonator comprises two tines and is operable to oscillate so that the two tines move in opposite phase at a frequency of less than 1 MHz while contacting the fluid to generate a resonator response indicative of one or more properties of the fluid. In another aspect, a sensor includes a substrate and a flexural resonator on the substrate and adapted to contact the fluid. Circuitry for operation of the resonator is on the substrate. The resonator is adapted to receive an input signal and to oscillate while contacting the fluid to generate a resonator response indicative of one or more properties of the fluid. One suitable application for the invention is monitoring the condition of a vehicle engine oil.

Abstract: A bridging telephone includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to a user interface, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interface, a packet data network interface. To service an incoming call, the processing circuitry obtains and executes bridging instructions that establish a pathway between the PSTN and packet data network interfaces. With such pathway, a call between a PSTN telephony device and an Internet telephony device can be established and maintained via the bridging telephone. Call conferences may also be set up via the bridging telephone, e.g., between pluralities of Internet telephony devices with or without the participation of a PSTN telephony device. Calls may be initiated by a PSTN telephony device to an Internet telephony device, or by an Internet telephony device to a PSTN telephony device.

Abstract: A bridging computing device includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to a user interface, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interface, a packet data network interface. The processing circuitry receives a first call setup request from the PSTN via the first interface, selectively prepares a second call setup request based upon the first call setup request, and sends the second call setup request to the Internet via the second interface. The processing circuitry may obtain and use bridging instructions to prepare the second call setup request. The processing circuitry may receive the first call setup request via the PSTN interface or the packet data network interface. The processing circuitry may send the second call setup request via the PSTN interface or the packet data network interface. The bridging computing device may optionally bridge a corresponding call and/or enable another bridging device to bridge the call.

Abstract: A Set Top Box includes processing circuitry, a tuner, a user interface, a remote control interface, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interface, and a packet data network interface. To service an incoming call, the processing circuitry obtains and executes bridging instructions that establish a pathway between the PSTN and packet data network interfaces. With such pathway, a call between a PSTN telephony device and an Internet telephony device can be established and maintained via the bridging Set Top Box. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls are bridged between first and second VoIP terminals using only the packet data network interface. Telephony instructions used in making bridging decisions may be stored locally or remotely and accessed by the processing circuitry in an appropriate manner when making bridging decisions.

Abstract: A bridging telephone includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to a user interface, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interface, a packet data network interface. The processing circuitry receives a first call setup request from the PSTN via the first interface, selectively prepares a second call setup request based upon the first call setup request, and sends the second call setup request to the Internet via the second interface. The processing circuitry may obtain and use bridging instructions to prepare the second call setup request. The processing circuitry may receive the first call setup request via the PSTN interface or the packet data network interface. The processing circuitry may send the second call setup request via the PSTN interface or the packet data network interface. The bridging computing device may optionally bridge a corresponding call and/or enable another bridging device to bridge the call.

Abstract: Servicing an incoming Facsimile (FAX) communication includes receiving the incoming FAX communication by a source telephony bridging device via a source PSTN connection, the incoming FAX communication having an incoming FAX number associated therewith. Based upon the incoming FAX number, the source telephony bridging device determines a user ID in a peer-to-peer Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network, determines an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a destination telephony bridging device based upon the user ID in the peer-to-peer VoIP network, and determines an outgoing FAX number based upon the user ID in the peer-to-peer VoIP network. The source telephony bridging device, an intermediate packet data network, and the destination telephony bridging device bridge the FAX communication from the source PSTN connection to a destination PSTN connection, the FAX communication directed to the outgoing FAX number.

Abstract: A communication infrastructure includes a plurality of cable modem circuits communicatively coupled to a cable network and each associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of subscribers. A head end system communicatively couples to the cable network, to the public switched telephony network, and to the Internet network and bridges calls between the Internet network and the public switched telephony network, between the cable network and the Internet network, and between the cable network and the public switched telephony network. A billing server of the head end system grants call bridging permission to telephone devices and monitors bridging usage. The cable modem circuits include wireless access points. The head end system routes a call to a wireless terminal via the cable network and a wireless access point within a home when present there and via a wireless access point coupled to the Internet network when not present there.

Abstract: A voice communication device that supports both Internet telephony and public switched telephone network telephony, and maintains the quality of communication. The voice communication device consists of a user interface, a plurality of communication interfaces and a processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the user interface and to the plurality of communication interfaces. The voice communication device maintains quality of service by analyzing the service characteristics of a plurality of communication pathways and determining one communication pathway that compares best in terms of quality of service and cost and transferring to that communication pathway prior to or during the call. Alternatively, a user set service characteristic configurations may also determine the choice of a communication pathway that meets the user requirements of quality of service and cost.

Abstract: A bridging computing device includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to a user interface, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interface, a packet data network interface. To service an incoming call, the processing circuitry obtains and executes bridging instructions that establish a pathway between the PSTN and packet data network interfaces. With such pathway, a call between a PSTN telephony device and an Internet telephony device can be established and maintained via the bridging computing device. Call conferences may also be set up via the bridging computing device, e.g., between pluralities of Internet telephony devices with or without the participation of a PSTN telephony device. Calls may be initiated by a PSTN telephony device to an Internet telephony device, or by an Internet telephony device to a PSTN telephony device.

Abstract: A Set Top Box includes processing circuitry, a tuner, a user interface, a remote control interface, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interface, and a packet data network interface. The processing circuitry receives a first call setup request from the PSTN via the first interface, selectively prepares a second call setup request based upon the first call setup request, and sends the second call setup request to the Internet via the second interface. The processing circuitry may obtain and use bridging instructions to prepare the second call setup request. The processing circuitry may receive the first call setup request via the PSTN interface or packet data network interface. The processing circuitry may send the second call setup request via the PSTN interface or the packet data network interface. The bridging computing device may bridge a corresponding call and/or enable another bridging device to bridge the call.

Abstract: An infrastructure that supports both Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony via the Internet and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) telephony via the PSTN includes a plurality of client telephony bridging devices communicatively couple to both the Internet and to the PSTN that are operable to bridge calls between the Internet and the PSTN. Server processing circuitry distributed among the plurality of client telephony bridging devices is operable to setup call bridging, to service call bridging, and to track subscribers to the system. In setting up call bridging, the distributed server processing circuitry services a call setup request from a calling voice terminal via the Internet or PSTN. The distributed server processing circuitry is operable to select a servicing telephony bridging device from the plurality of client telephony bridging devices and to enable bridging by such device(s).

Abstract: A network infrastructure operable to support the exchange of communications, such as voice communications, between a first client terminal having a first user identifier and a second (destination) client terminal associated with a second user identifier (handle). This second client terminal may be part of a family of client terminals. The network infrastructure includes a packet-switch network, a shared database and a number of client terminals serviced by one or more service providers. These terminals include a network interface and are identified by their service provider by a network address. The shared database associates user identifiers, metadata and network addresses. This allows a user to access the shared database in order to initiate a call request from the first client terminal to the second client terminal(s). The first client terminal receives the network address or vectoring information on the network address of the destination terminal through the shared database.

Abstract: A laptop that interacts with a television system. At least one module may be adapted to receive a user input identifying a video selection. The at least one module may also be adapted to display video information corresponding to the video selection. The at least one module may further be adapted to transmit a control signal adapted to cause the display of video information corresponding to the video selection on the television system. The laptop may, for example, be adapted to receive television system setting information and provide for user control of various television system settings. Also for example, the laptop may be adapted to receive media guide information, present such information to a user, provide for user selection of a media element, and transmit a control signal adapted to cause delivery of the selected media element from a multimedia source to the television system.

Abstract: A control device for interacting with a television system. At least one module is adapted to receive a user input identifying a video selection. The at least one module may also be adapted to search for video information corresponding to the video selection. The at least one module may, for example, be adapted to search in any or all media sources to which the control device is directly or indirectly communicatively coupled. The control device may be adapted to interact with the Internet. In such case, the at least one module may, for example, be adapted to browse the Internet using any standard Internet browsing tool. The at least one module may further be adapted to transmit a control signal adapted to cause display of the video information on the television system. The at least one module may additionally be adapted to display the video information.

Abstract: A compact and portable device uniformly illuminates and magnifies the words, images, or other information on a surface, such as the words on a page of a book, while minimizing the amount of light transmitted beyond or away from the illuminated surface. The device employs a light transmitting body formed of a transparent light conductive material and a magnifying lens. The device also employs a housing with a light source and a power source for powering the light source. To receive and deflect light from the light source onto the underlying surface, the light transmitting body is configured to have a wedge shape tapering from a thicker edge to a thinner edge. The wedge-shaped light transmitting body and the magnifying lens may be integrally formed to allow seamless transmission of light between the light transmitting body and the magnifying lens.

Abstract: Helium gas at ambient pressure is inserted into an expendable mold at a fill tube or other port exiting the bottom of the mold. The helium displaces atmospheric air in the mold cavity, and the displaced air exits the cavity through the fill tube. When the air in the mold cavity and fill tube has been completely displaced by the helium, the fill tube is submerged in molten aluminum, and the aluminum is drawn into the mold cavity through the fill tube to form a casting having significantly reduced oxide inclusions and significantly improved fatigue strength.

Abstract: A control device that interacts with an entertainment system. The entertainment system drives a speaker device. The control device has a user interface that receives a user input identifying an audio selection and a language. At least one module of the control device transmits a control signal adapted to cause playing of audio information corresponding to the audio selection in the language identified by the user input on the entertainment system. The entertainment system may in addition drive a plurality of speaker devices. The control device may receive an additional language selection and cause playing of the audio information in a plurality of languages corresponding to the additional language selection on the plurality of speaker devices. Also for example, the control device may drive a second plurality of speaker devices. The control device may be adapted to receive media guide information and/or language guide information and present such information to a user.