Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods according to the embodiments allow a wireless network be efficiently managed through activation and/or deactivation of network access points and/or multi-function devices having capability to serve as access points in the wireless network. An apparatus/server may be configured to manage the access points and multi-function devices based on a network database that is updated as multi-function devices are activated and/or deactivated as access point service providers, and as service conditions change within the network. The multi-function devices may comprise devices that are normally used in the network to provide at least one device function other than access point services. For example, the multi-function devices may include devices, such as printers, display monitors, docking devices, laptops, mobile tablets, or mobile phones, which are intended to provide conventional device functions (i.e., printing, displaying, docking, communicating).

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to efficient hierarchical radio frequency (RF) spectrum assigning across both licensed and unlicensed frequencies in a given area. Wireless devices in the area are detected by a spectrum manager, which also detects all available RF frequencies that are available. Conditional, relative, or absolute RF assignment rules received by an administrator or from an administrative device dictate the allocation conditions for assigning wireless devices to different frequencies, channels, channel widths, bands, durations, or other specifics of the available RF frequencies. Alternatively, RF spectra may be assigned reactively based on the current, historical, or future network usage on the available network frequencies.

Abstract: Application data traffic transmitted and received by wireless devices in a network may be mapped to channels based on traffic type and channel metrics. The traffic type may be classified by modality such as by voice, video, application sharing, instant messaging, emergency call, or any other application modality. The channels may be associated with characteristics that include, for example, a frequency band or channel metrics. The traffic types may be prioritized relative to one another and each may be associated with a hierarchical frequency band prioritization or a channel prioritization based on other channel metrics. A list of traffic types or modalities may be mapped to a list of available channels in a network by mapping channel characteristics to modalities based on modality traffic type prioritization, frequency band prioritization or channel metric prioritization. The mapping may then be utilized to control channel assignment for devices operating in the network.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to efficient hierarchical radio frequency (RF) spectrum assigning across both licensed and unlicensed frequencies in a given area. Wireless devices in the area are detected by a spectrum manager, which also detects all available RF frequencies that are available. Conditional, relative, or absolute RF assignment rules received by an administrator or from an administrative device dictate the allocation conditions for assigning wireless devices to different frequencies, channels, channel widths, bands, durations, or other specifics of the available RF frequencies. Alternatively, RF spectra may be assigned reactively based on the current, historical, or future network usage on the available network frequencies.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to efficient hierarchical radio frequency (RF) spectrum assigning across both licensed and unlicensed frequencies in a given area. Wireless devices in the area are detected by a spectrum manager, which also detects all available RF frequencies that are available. Conditional, relative, or absolute RF assignment rules received by an administrator or from an administrative device dictate the allocation conditions for assigning wireless devices to different frequencies, channels, channel widths, bands, durations, or other specifics of the available RF frequencies. Alternatively, RF spectra may be assigned reactively based on the current, historical, or future network usage on the available network frequencies.

Abstract: Application data traffic transmitted and received by wireless devices in a network may be mapped to channels based on traffic type and channel metrics. The traffic type may be classified by modality such as by voice, video, application sharing, instant messaging, emergency call, or any other application modality. The channels may be associated with characteristics that include, for example, a frequency band or channel metrics. The traffic types may be prioritized relative to one another and each may be associated with a hierarchical frequency band prioritization or a channel prioritization based on other channel metrics. A list of traffic types or modalities may be mapped to a list of available channels in a network by mapping channel characteristics to modalities based on modality traffic type prioritization, frequency band prioritization or channel metric prioritization. The mapping may then be utilized to control channel assignment for devices operating in the network.

Abstract: One implementation provides a computer-implemented method for modifying network configuration information on a client node. In this implementation, the client node establishes a first network connection with a host node using at least one network configuration parameter and collects configuration history information. The configuration history information includes at least one parameter that is related to the first network connection. The client node also analyzes policy information that includes a rule that is used for specifying a predetermined criterion. If one of the parameters in the configuration history information does not satisfy the predetermined criterion, the client node modifies one of the network configuration parameters. The client node is then capable of establishing a second network connection with the host node using the modified network configuration parameter.

Abstract: One implementation provides a computer-implemented method for modifying network configuration information on a client node. In this implementation, the client node establishes a first network connection with a host node using at least one network configuration parameter and collects configuration history information. The configuration history information includes at least one parameter that is related to the first network connection. The client node also analyzes policy information that includes a rule that is used for specifying a predetermined criterion. If one of the parameters in the configuration history information does not satisfy the predetermined criterion, the client node modifies one of the network configuration parameters. The client node is then capable of establishing a second network connection with the host node using the modified network configuration parameter.

Abstract: Communicating diagnostic information to an online service may include communicating with a plurality of user computers having a plurality of modem access sessions. The online service may communicate with the user computers using one or more gateways. For example, each access session may include a first communication session between the online service and a gateway, and a second communication session between the gateway and a modem of a user computer. Each gateway may gather diagnostic information indicative of corresponding second communication sessions. The diagnostic information may be communicated to the online service using the first communication sessions. The online service may use the diagnostic information automatically to detect or to diagnose a communication fault.

Abstract: A server in a telecommunications network connects to subscriber equipment of at least one type and to caller equipment of several different types via a communications medium. The server includes a receiving element, a translating element, and a routing element. The receiving element receives messages intended for the subscriber equipment from the caller equipment in caller formats. The translating element translates the messages to a subscriber format compatible with the subscriber equipment. The routing element automatically transfers the translated messages to the subscriber equipment without requiring the subscriber to initiate the message transfer.

Abstract: A messaging center, connected to a communications network, processes messages intended for a subscriber. A caller sends a message to the message center in a first caller format. The message center stores the message in the first caller format, notifies the subscriber, and awaits a request for the stored message from the subscriber. In response to the message request, the message center sends the stored message to the subscriber in a first subscriber format independent of the first caller format. If the subscriber desires, the subscriber constructs a response to the message and sends it to the message center in a second subscriber format independent of the first caller format and the first subscriber format. The message center stores the response in the second subscriber format and sends the stored response to the caller in a second caller format independent of the first caller format and the first and second subscriber formats.

Abstract: A network building system uses criteria from a potential buyer of network services operating in a communications service bidding exchange to identify one or more network segments meeting the buyer's criteria. The exchange allows buyers to purchase usage privileges on network segments operated by service providers affiliated with the exchange. A number of geographically disperse hubs affiliated with the exchange are interconnected by these network segments. Multiple network segments from different providers may interconnect any two hubs. Thus, a challenge arises when a buyer requires network services that involve multiple hubs because of the potential number of network segments involved and the range of choices for selecting a specific set of network segments meeting the buyer's needs. The network building system uses buyer criteria to identify network segments, or combinations of segments, meeting the buyer's needs.

Abstract: A server in a telecommunications network connects to subscriber equipment of at least one type and to caller equipment of several different types via a communications medium. The server includes a receiving element, a translating element, and a routing element. The receiving element receives messages intended for the subscriber equipment from the caller equipment in caller formats. The translating element translates the messages to a subscriber format compatible with the subscriber equipment. The routing element automatically transfers the translated messages to the subscriber equipment without requiring the subscriber to initiate the message transfer.

Abstract: A server in a telecommunications network connects to subscriber equipment of at least one type and to caller equipment of several different types via a communications medium. The server includes a receiving element, a translating element, and a routing element. The receiving element receives messages intended for the subscriber equipment from the caller equipment in caller formats. The translating element translates the messages to a subscriber format compatible with the subscriber equipment. The routing element automatically transfers the translated messages to the subscriber equipment without requiring the subscriber to initiate the message transfer.

Abstract: A messaging center, connected to a communications network, processes messages intended for a subscriber. A caller sends a message to the message center in a first caller format. The message center stores the message in the first caller format, notifies the subscriber, and awaits a request for the stored message from the subscriber. In response to the message request, the message center sends the stored message to the subscriber in a first subscriber format independent of the first caller format. If the subscriber desires, the subscriber constructs a response to the message and sends it to the message center in a second subscriber format independent of the first caller format and the first subscriber format. The message center stores the response in the second subscriber format and sends the stored response to the caller in a second caller format independent of the first caller format and the first and second subscriber formats.

Abstract: A long distance service bureau assists subscribers in selecting a long distance carrier for a long distance, or tariff, call. The long distance service bureau includes a rate table memory and a service logic element. The rate table memory stores rate data, representing tolls charged by various long distance carriers, and subscriber preference data, representing a subscriber's preferences for certain ones of the various long distance carriers. The service logic element controls the rate table memory. The service logic element periodically communicates with the various long distance carriers to retrieve rate data changes, stores the rate data changes in the rate table memory, and downloads only the rate data changes to local equipment of the subscriber during idle periods of the subscriber's local equipment.