Abstract: Techniques for implementing a load balanced server system are described which may be used for effecting electronic commerce over a data network. The system comprises a load balancing system and a plurality of servers in communication with the load balancing system. Each of the plurality of servers may include a respective data cache for storing state information relating to client session transactions conducted between the server and a particular client. The load balancing system can be configured to select, using a load balancing protocol, an available first server from the plurality of servers to process an initial packet received from a source device such as, for example, a client machine of a customer. The load balancing system can also configured to route subsequent packets received from the source device to the first server. Before generating its response, the first server may verify that the state information relating to a specific client session stored in the data cache is up-to-date.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a load balanced server system are described which may be used for effecting electronic commerce over a data network. The system comprises a load balancing system and a plurality of servers in communication with the load balancing system. Each of the plurality of servers may include a respective data cache for storing state information relating to client session transactions conducted between the server and a particular client. The load balancing system can be configured to select, using a load balancing protocol, an available first server from the plurality of servers to process an initial packet received from a source device such as, for example, a client machine of a customer. The load balancing system can also configured to route subsequent packets received from the source device to the first server. Before generating its response, the first server may verify that the state information relating to a specific client session stored in the data cache is up-to-date.

Abstract: A system, method, software and related functions are provided for managing activity in a radio frequency band that is shared, both in frequency and time, by signals of multiple types. An example of such a frequency band is an unlicensed frequency band. Radio frequency energy in the frequency band is captured at one or more devices and/or locations in a region where activity in the frequency band is happening. Signals occurring in the frequency band are detected by sampling part or the entire frequency band for time intervals. Signal pulse energy in the band is detected and is used to classify signals according to signal type. Using knowledge of the types of signals occurring in the frequency band and other spectrum activity related statistics (referred to as spectrum intelligence), actions can be taken in a device or network of devices to avoid interfering with other signals, and in general to optimize simultaneous use of the frequency band with the other signals.

Abstract: A system, method, software and related functions are provided for managing activity in a radio frequency band that is shared, both in frequency and time, by signals of multiple types. An example of such a frequency band is an unlicensed frequency band. Radio frequency energy in the frequency band is captured at one or more devices and/or locations in a region where activity in the frequency band is happening. Signals occurring in the frequency band are detected by sampling part or the entire frequency band for time intervals. Signal pulse energy in the band is detected and is used to classify signals according to signal type. Using knowledge of the types of signals occurring in the frequency band and other spectrum activity related statistics (referred to as spectrum intelligence), actions can be taken in a device or network of devices to avoid interfering with other signals, and in general to optimize simultaneous use of the frequency band with the other signals.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the spectrum utilization of a frequency band that is shared, both in frequency and time, by multiple devices. At one or more devices operating in the frequency band, pulses associated with signals occurring in the frequency band are detected by sampling part or all the frequency band for a time interval. From the detected signal pulses, the signals can be classified. In addition, overall spectrum activity can be measured. Using classification information for signals detected in the frequency band, policies can be executed so that a device may take certain actions in order to avoid interfering with other signals, or to optimize simultaneous use of the frequency band with the other signals. Signal detection occurs at one or more devices operating in a frequency band.

Abstract: A real-time spectrum analysis engine (SAGE) that comprises a spectrum analyzer component, a signal detector component, a universal signal synchronizer component and a snapshot buffer component. The spectrum analyzer component generates data representing a real-time spectrogram of a bandwidth of radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The signal detector detects signal pulses in the frequency band and outputs pulse event information entries output, which include the start time, duration, power, center frequency and bandwidth of each detected pulse. The signal detector also provides pulse trigger outputs which may be used to enable/disable the collection of information by the spectrum analyzer and the snapshot buffer components. The snapshot buffer collects a set of raw digital signal samples useful for signal classification and other purposes. The universal signal synchronizer synchronizes to periodic signal sources, useful for instituting schemes to avoid interference with those signals.

Abstract: A spectrum analysis engine (SAGE) that comprises a spectrum analyzer component, a signal detector component, a universal signal synchronizer component and a snapshot buffer component. The spectrum analyzer component generates data representing a real-time spectrogram of a bandwidth of radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The signal detector detects signal pulses in the frequency band and outputs pulse event information entries output, which include the start time, duration, power, center frequency and bandwidth of each detected pulse. The signal detector also provides pulse trigger outputs which may be used to enable/disable the collection of information by the spectrum analyzer and the snapshot buffer components. The snapshot buffer collects a set of raw digital signal samples useful for signal classification and other purposes. The universal signal synchronizer synchronizes to periodic signal sources, useful for instituting schemes to avoid interference with those signals.

Abstract: A method and electronic device (104) for processing incoming packets in a communication network (100) is disclosed. The method includes filtering (302) incoming packets in real time by using a recent offender list (212). The method also includes classifying (304) the incoming packets as offending packets and non-offending packets in non-real time.

Abstract: A method of selective dormant data session reactivation in a radio access network includes calculating an activation rate threshold as a function of a first plurality of packets received over a first time interval, where the first plurality of packets are coupled to reactivate at least one dormant mobile station. The second plurality of packets received in a second time interval are buffered, where each of the second plurality of packets has a destination IP address to reactivate the at least one dormant mobile station. An arrival rate of the second plurality of packets in the second time interval is compared to the activation rate threshold.

Abstract: A technique for implementing a load balanced server farm system is described which may be used for effecting electronic commerce over a data network. The system comprises a load balancing system and a plurality of servers in communication with the load balancing system. Each of the plurality of servers may include a respective data cache for storing state information relating to client session transactions conducted between the server and a particular client. The load balancing system is configured to select, using a load balancing protocol, an available first server from the plurality of servers to process an initial packet received from a source device such as, for example, a client machine of a customer. The load balancing system is also configured to route subsequent packets received from the source device to the first server.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band. One or more characteristics of one or more signals in the frequency band are detected using any suitable technology, such as a device that can generate characteristics of signal pulses detected in the frequency band. Data pertaining to the signal pulses is accumulated over time. The accumulated signal data is compared against reference data associated with known signals to classify the one or more signals in the frequency band based on the comparison. The accumulated data may include one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses, and wherein the reference data associated with each of a plurality of known signals comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration and time between pulses.

Abstract: A method for sharing a total licensed pool between network elements is disclosed. In the method, each of the network elements has a fixed available capacity. In a first step, an offered load capacity limit based on the total licensed pool and the available capacity is determined. Next, each of the network elements communicates a message comprising the offered load capacity limit. Then, each of the network elements monitor for messages. If a message is not received from one of the network elements, the network element that is not communicating is considered a failed network element. Upon detection of the failed network element, the offered load capacity of the failed network element is redistributed.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band. One or more characteristics of one or more signals in the frequency band are detected using any suitable technology, such as a device that can generate characteristics of signal pulses detected in the frequency band. Data pertaining to the signal pulses is accumulated over time. The accumulated signal data is compared against reference data associated with known signals to classify the one or more signals in the frequency band based on the comparison. The accumulated data may include one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses, and wherein the reference data associated with each of a plurality of known signals comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration and time between pulses.

Abstract: Several techniques are provided for use by wireless devices to avoid interference with signals that are of a periodic or quasi-periodic nature that may operate in the same frequency band and proximity. In some cases, the periodic signals are detected and their timing is determined so as to predict when a next interfering event will occur. Devices that are affected by the periodic signal (such as an affected device with information to be transmitted or devices that have information to be transmitted to the affected device) are controlled to prevent transmissions during the interfering intervals. In addition, a process is provided to dynamically fragment a transmit frame of information to transmit part of the information before the interfering interval and the remainder of the information after the interfering interval, rather than waiting to transmit the entire frame until after the interfering interval.

Abstract: Signal classification techniques for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band using a plurality of classifier procedures each dedicated to identify a particular signal or signal type. The classification procedures operate on spectrum activity data that may include pulse event data describing particular types of signal pulses occurring in the frequency band, power versus frequency data for sampling intervals of activity in a frequency band and/or raw analog-to-digital converter samples take of a received signal. The signal classification techniques are useful to identify wireless radio signals or other radio emissions occurring in an unlicensed radio frequency band. One type of classification procedure is a pulse timing template that is compared against accumulated signal pulse data to determine occurrence of a particular signal type.

Abstract: A method is provided for assessing effectiveness of promoting products using an interactive marketing medium. The method includes: identifying a series of steps that characterize a purchase process for a product; presenting information about the product to a potential customer using the interactive marketing medium; and assessing attitude of the potential customer towards the product resulting from the information being received from the interactive marketing medium, such that the attitude of the potential customer is correlated with one or more steps of the purchase process.

Abstract: Signal classification techniques for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band using a plurality of classifier procedures each dedicated to identify a particular signal or signal type. The classification procedures operate on spectrum activity data that may include pulse event data describing particular types of signal pulses occurring in the frequency band, power versus frequency data for sampling intervals of activity in a frequency band and/or raw analog-to-digital converter samples take of a received signal. The signal classification techniques are useful to identify wireless radio signals or other radio emissions occurring in an unlicensed radio frequency band. One type of classification procedure is a pulse timing template that is compared against accumulated signal pulse data to determine occurrence of a particular signal type.

Abstract: Line terminal equipment (30, 35) transmits health and status information (66, 68) to bearer payload processors (50-N). Each bearer payload processor (50-N) concatenates (96) the health and status information of the line terminal equipment. Each bearer payload processor transmits the concatenated health and status information including bearer traffic to each of the line terminal equipment (30, 35). Both the line terminal equipment and bearer payload processors compare (98, 100) the health and status information.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band. One or more characteristics of one or more signals in the frequency band are detected using any suitable technology, such as a device that can generate characteristics of signal pulses detected in the frequency band. Data pertaining to the signal pulses is accumulated over time. The accumulated signal data is compared against reference data associated with known signals to classify the one or more signals in the frequency band based on the comparison. The accumulated data may include one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses, and wherein the reference data associated with each of a plurality of known signals comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration and time between pulses.