Abstract: A network system is provided. The network system includes a first network device and a second network device running in data link layer (L2). The first network device includes a first switch and a first PPPoE (Point-to-Point over Ethernet) agent integrally coupled to the first switch. The second network device also includes a second switch and a second PPPoE agent integrally coupled to the second switch. The network system further includes a PPPoE client running in network layer (L3) that communicates to the first PPPoE agent and a PPPoE server in L3 that communicates to the second PPPoE agent. The PPPoE client uses a broadcast (Bcast) MAC address in an initial IPCP (Internet Protocol Control Protocol) negotiation message between the PPPoE client and the PPPoE server.

Abstract: A network system is provided. The network system includes a first network device and a second network device running in data link layer (L2). The first network device includes a first switch and a first PPPoE (Point-to-Point over Ethernet) agent integrally coupled to the first switch. The second network device also includes a second switch and a second PPPoE agent integrally coupled to the second switch. The network system further includes a PPPoE client running in network layer (L3) that communicates to the first PPPoE agent and a PPPoE server in L3 that communicates to the second PPPoE agent. The PPPoE client uses a broadcast (Bcast) MAC address in an initial IPCP (Internet Protocol Control Protocol) negotiation message between the PPPoE client and the PPPoE server.

Abstract: An extendable spar buoy sea-based communication system includes a spar buoy having a retracted configuration deployable from an underwater vessel and an extended configuration after deployment, and a communication subsystem mounted to the top of the spar buoy and supported thereby.

Abstract: An extendable spar buoy sea-based communication system includes a spar buoy having a retracted configuration deployable from an underwater vessel and an extended configuration after deployment, and a communication subsystem mounted to the top of the spar buoy and supported thereby.

Abstract: A method to facilitate procurement of information from a user. The method includes delivering information to the user from a computer prompting the user to enter at the computer information identifying a project, prompting the user to perform at the computer an action to specify a billing-related information relating to the project and prompting the user to provide to the computer information associated to the project but unrelated to the billing-related information. When the above information is provided by the user, the method includes generating a first message including data identifying the project and data specifying the billing-related information, generating a second message including at least a portion of the information identifying the project and the information associated to the project but unrelated to the billing-related information, and sending the first message and the second message to different destinations. The invention also extends to a system implementing the above method.

Abstract: A data file suitable for processing by a web browser executing on a computer having a display. The file includes a first set of data causing the browser to render on the display a fixed representation of a document. The file also has a second set of data representative of DHTML code, the DHTML code donating to the web browser an annotation functionality permitting a user to annotate the fixed representation of the document.

Abstract: A method to facilitate procurement of information from a user. The method includes delivering information to the user from a computer prompting the user to enter at the computer information identifying a project, prompting the user to perform at the computer an action to specify a billing-related information relating to the project and prompting the user to provide to the computer information associated to the project but unrelated to the billing-related information. When the above information is provided by the user, the method includes generating a first message including data identifying the project and data specifying the billing-relaed information, generating a second message including at least a portion of the information identifying the project and the information associated to the project but unrelated to the billing-related information, and sending the first message and the second message to different destinations. The invention also extends to a system implementing the above method.

Abstract: A device compares two variable analogue signals, e.g. varying in time, such as audio or video signals. The signals, which are either different or identical but shifted in time, are within a predetermined frequency range. The device includes two parallel channels for processing analogue signals. One of the channels introduces a time shift of one signal with respect to the other, the shift being equal to a 1/4 period at the center frequency of the band. Both channels include in series circuits for transforming the analogue signals into binary logic signals, a logic circuit, a summing circuit for establishing a first and second correlation signal. An adder adds the absolute values of the first and second correlation signals to form a third correlation signal that is substantially independent of any time shift between the analogue signals.