Abstract: A housing assembly includes a plurality of hollow pipes forming a base section horizontally disposed and a support section vertically disposed with a top pipe. An operational assembly includes a plurality of block and tackle subassemblies. Each block and tackle sub assembly includes a fixed block with a plurality of upper pulleys depending from the top pipe. Each block and tackle sub assembly includes a movable tackle with a plurality of lower pulleys. Each movable tackle includes a cord with a fixed end, a movable end, and an intermediate section. The intermediate section winds back and forth between the lower pulleys and the upper pulleys. A belt has a clip attached to the movable end of each cord.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to test home networks are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes instructing, from a test controller, a test server to become communicatively coupled to a residential gateway of a home network. The test server is separate from the residential gateway. The test controller is separate from the residential gateway. The test controller instructs the test server to perform a first test of the home network. A second test of a femtocell is performed with a cellular transceiver of the test controller. The second test is different from the first test. The femtocell is communicatively coupled to the residential gateway. The femtocell is separate from the residential gateway. A first result of the first test and a second result of the second test are presented via a display of the test controller.

Abstract: A method includes receiving diagnostic data at a computing system from network interface devices. The method includes analyzing the diagnostic data with the computer system to identify a performance alert condition. The method includes determining, by the computer system, potential causes of the performance alert condition. The method includes determining, by the computer system, probabilities associated with the potential causes being actual causes of the performance alert condition. The method also includes generating, by the computer system, an output including a potential causes list ordered according to the probabilities associated with the potential causes being the actual causes of the performance alert condition.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving diagnostic data from a plurality of network interface devices via a plurality of network connections corresponding to the network interface devices. Each of the plurality of network interface devices includes a diagnostic module to gather diagnostic data pertaining to the network interface device, to gather diagnostic data pertaining to the corresponding network connection, and to gather diagnostic data pertaining to a video device at a user location. The video device is coupled to the network interface device to receive video data via the corresponding network connection. The method also includes analyzing the diagnostic data at the computing device to identify one or more performance alert conditions associated with a service provider network. The method further includes generating an output identifying one or more potential causes of the one or more identified performance alert conditions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving diagnostic data from a plurality of network interface devices via a plurality of network connections corresponding to the network interface devices. Each of the plurality of network interface devices includes a diagnostic module to gather diagnostic data pertaining to the network interface device, to gather diagnostic data pertaining to the corresponding network connection, and to gather diagnostic data pertaining to a video device at a user location. The video device is coupled to the network interface device to receive video data via the corresponding network connection. The method also includes analyzing the diagnostic data at the computing device to identify one or more performance alert conditions associated with a service provider network. The method further includes generating an output identifying the one or more performance alert conditions.

Abstract: A map of a facility is provided. Dispatch instructions for dispatching a mobile device from a starting location to the facility at a destination within a geographical area are received, and a current location of the mobile device is detected as the mobile device moves from the starting location towards the destination. The map of the facility is received based on the dispatch instructions and the current location of the mobile device, and the map of the facility is provided.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a first line card coupled to minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cables, a very high digital subscriber line signal, modifying the very high digital subscriber line signal for transmission over the minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cables to generate an updated very high digital subscriber line signal that overcomes a transmission deficiency, and transmitting from the first line card the updated very high digital subscriber line signal to a second line card to cause the second line card to receive the adapted very high digital subscriber line signal at a desired signal quality and convert the updated very high digital subscriber line signal to a very high digital subscriber line signal for presentation of interactive television services at the customer premise equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device to transmit interactive TV services using minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cables including a controller to receive a very high digital subscriber line (VDSL) signal at the minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cable and adapt the VDSL signal for transmission over the minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cable to form an adapted VDSL signal which can subsequently be used for presentation of interactive TV services. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to test home networks are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a command from a wirelessly coupled test controller, communicative coupling a communication module to a home network in response to the command, performing a test of the home network via the communication module, and returning a result of the test to the test controller via a wireless signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing energy consumption. Electrical power from an auxiliary battery system is received. The electrical power is shared with peripheral devices. A characteristic of a vehicle battery is received from an interface to an on board diagnostic system. When the electrical power received from the auxiliary battery system is less than a threshold value, then the auxiliary battery system is charged from a connection to the vehicle battery. The charging of the auxiliary battery system is disabled when the characteristic of the vehicle battery is less than the minimum value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving diagnostic data from a plurality of network interface devices via a plurality of network connections corresponding to the network interface devices. Each of the plurality of network interface devices includes a diagnostic module to gather diagnostic data pertaining to the network interface device, to gather diagnostic data pertaining to the corresponding network connection, and to gather diagnostic data pertaining to a video device at a user location. The video device is coupled to the network interface device to receive video data via the corresponding network connection. The method also includes analyzing the diagnostic data at the computing device to identify one or more performance alert conditions associated with a service provider network. The method further includes generating an output identifying the one or more performance alert conditions.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device to transmit interactive TV services using minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cables including a controller to receive a very high digital subscriber line (VDSL) signal at the minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cable and adapt the VDSL signal for transmission over the minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cable to form an adapted VDSL signal which can subsequently be used for presentation of interactive TV services. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing energy consumption. Electrical power from an auxiliary battery system is received. The electrical power is shared with peripheral devices. A characteristic of a vehicle battery is received from an interface to an on board diagnostic system. When the electrical power received from the auxiliary battery system is less than a threshold value, then the auxiliary battery system is charged from a connection to the vehicle battery. The charging of the auxiliary battery system is disabled when the characteristic of the vehicle battery is less than the minimum value.