Abstract: Telephone calls between a mobile station (MS) and the mobile network or PSTN are routed through the Internet via VoIP using a femtocell, as opposed to the traditional macrocellular network. The femtocell can comprise a USB Transceiver Station that is connected to a personal computer through a universal serial bus port, which provides both power and a multi-megabit per second connection between the personal computer and the USB transceiver station. The USB transceiver station can comprise a microcontroller to manage signaling between the RF front end/baseband processor and the personal computer, as well as a precise timing mechanism to assist the synchronization of femtocell timing with the surrounding macrocellular network, if it is present. The USB transceiver station can have a compact form factor that that facilitates a high degree of portability by the subscriber, such as being readily attachable to their keychain.

Abstract: A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.

Abstract: Telephone calls between a mobile station (MS) and the mobile network or PSTN are routed through the Internet via VoIP using a femtocell, as opposed to the traditional macrocellular network. The femtocell can comprise a USB Transceiver Station that is connected to a personal computer through a universal serial bus port, which provides both power and a multi-megabit per second connection between the personal computer and the USB transceiver station. The USB transceiver station can comprise a microcontroller to manage signaling between the RF front end/baseband processor and the personal computer, as well as a precise timing mechanism to assist the synchronization of femtocell timing with the surrounding macrocellular network, if it is present. The USB transceiver station can have a compact form factor that facilitates a high degree of portability by the subscriber, such as being readily attachable to their keychain.

Abstract: A multi-level hosted inbound administration platform for a packet-switched telephony system is provided. The platform provides services for managing the distribution and features of direct inward dialing numbers (DIDs). The platform allows a client to import or purchase DIDs, make DIDs available to sub-distributors, and provision them to end-users. The platform allows sub-distributors to reserve and activate DIDs, make DIDs available to downstream sub-distributors, and provision them to end-users. The platform provides a billing structure for DID usage, with charges being applied on a one-time, monthly, or variable basis. The platform also allows clients and sub-distributors to charge for inbound services based on per-minute or per-usage charges.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for efficient handover of a media session between heterogeneous IP networks. A mobile device with Internet access can operate a software program to communicate with a corresponding node. The corresponding node may access the Internet through either a NAT router or a firewall. The mobile device establishes a media session with a corresponding node via the transmission of a first media stream and receipt of a second media stream, and a media control channel can optionally be implemented. The mobile device can acquire Internet access through a second IP address, and packets routed between the second IP address and the Internet may traverse a NAT router. The mobile device can evaluate the type of NAT at the second IP address from a stored LAN profile. A software routine can determine that handover of the media session from the first IP address to the second IP address is preferred. A software routine can determine efficient handover procedures according to Network handover rules.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for efficient handover of a media session between heterogeneous IP networks. A mobile device with Internet access can operate a software program to communicate with a corresponding node. The corresponding node may access the Internet through either (i) a NAT router or (ii) a public IP address. The mobile device establishes a media session with a corresponding node via the transmission of a first media stream and receipt of a second media stream, and a media control channel can optionally be implemented. The mobile device can acquire Internet access through a second IP address, and packets routed between the second IP address and the Internet may traverse a NAT router. A software routine can determine that handover of the media session from the first IP address to the second IP address is preferred. The mobile device may begin transmitting a third media stream to the corresponding node before the first media stream stops.

Abstract: Telephone calls between a mobile station (MS) and the mobile network or PSTN are routed through the Internet via VoIP using a femtocell, as opposed to the traditional macrocellular network. The femtocell can comprise a USB Transceiver Station that is connected to a personal computer through a universal serial bus port, which provides both power and a multi-megabit per second connection between the personal computer and the USB transceiver station. The USB transceiver station can comprise a microcontroller to manage signaling between the RF front end/baseband processor and the personal computer, as well as a precise timing mechanism to assist the synchronization of femtocell timing with the surrounding macrocellular network, if it is present. The USB transceiver station can have a compact form factor that that facilitates a high degree of portability by the subscriber, such as being readily attachable to their keychain.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for intelligent call routing through distributed VoIP networks. A host name, representing a proxy, is assigned to and associated with a device. An IP address of a first proxy is acquired via a DNS query for the host name. The quality of the connection between the first proxy and the device is measured at least in part by calculating the round-trip delay for messages between the first proxy and the device. A DNS record for the host name is changed to specify the IP address of a second proxy. The IP address of the second proxy is acquired via a second DNS query for the host name. The quality of the connection between the second proxy and the device is measured at least in part by calculating the round-trip delay for messages between the second proxy and the device. The quality of the first and second connections is compared, and the IP address of the proxy with the higher-quality connection is assigned to the DNS record.

Abstract: A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for providing packet-switched telephony service. The system provides call control, signaling, and/or delivery of voice, video, and other media in substantially real time. One embodiment of the system includes a call client application on a user device, and a call server located at a packet-switched telephony service provider. The call server is preferably operable to communicate with the call client in a non-native protocol and with the gateway in a native protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying location-specific information. The system and method may preferably be used to identify available packet-switched telephony service providers, such as internet telephony service providers, providing telephony service to a desired call destination. In a preferred embodiment, a user enters one or more call criteria, such as a telephone number or a location description, which are transmitted across a packet-switched network to a server. The server determines location-specific information corresponding to the one or more call criteria. For example, the server may determine a location corresponding to the one or more call criteria, and may further use the determined location to identify available packet-switched telephony service providers offering telephony service to the determined location. A least costly packet-switched telephony service provider may be used by the server to place a call from the user to an entered telephone number.

Abstract: A distributed resource metering system provides a billing component on a billing client, a billing server, and at least one database. The distributed resource metering system provides billing data in substantially real time. The billing client and the billing server are linked to a network, such as the Internet. The billing server authorizes the billing client to access a service. The billing client communicates with a gateway or another billing client. The billing server monitors the communication and provides substantially real time billing data to a display on the billing client.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously measuring CO.sub.2, O.sub.2 and N.sub.2 gases dissolved in liquid includes a device for extracting the sample of gases from a container, such as a soft drink bottle, and a gas sample cell connected in fluid communication with the gas extracting device. The concentrations of CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gas in the gas sample are determined utilizing infrared (IR) absorption and phosphorescent quenching, respectively. The concentration of these respective gases is then converted to a partial pressure reading utilizing the temperature of the gas sample. The partial pressure of nitrogen gas in the sample is determined by measuring the total pressure of the gas sample and subtracting the partial pressures of the CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gas therefrom. The respective partial pressures of the CO.sub.2, O.sub.2 and N.sub.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of an electrochemical cell which has long term chemical stability to anolyte and catholyte solutions at pH's of less than 2 and above 12, which method comprises the steps of: i) thermally processing a polymeric material which exhibits a glass transition to form the cell structure or components of the cell structure, and ii) subjecting the surfaces of the cell structure of components of the cell structure, which in use, will be in contact with the anolyte and catholyte solutions, to a post halogenation process, whereby the polymeric material forming the said surfaces undergoes halogen substitution to form a chemically stable halogen modified polymeric material.

Abstract: A method for measuring carbonation loss in beverage bottles and predicting shelf-life thereof utilizes infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy. The concentration of CO.sub.2 gas in a bottle being tested is measured with an infrared beam according to Beer's Law. In one embodiment the CO.sub.2 gas measured is in the headspace of a test bottle partially filled with carbonated water. The walls of the bottle are clamped in a fixture to maintain the bottle diameter substantially constant. An IR beam is transmitted through the bottle just below the fixture, and absorption values of the beam are measured. Shelf-life is calculated from the absorption values. In another embodiment the test bottle is filled with compressed CO.sub.2 gas generated by dry ice placed in the bottle.