Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a layer II bridging switch for subscriber aggregation is described. The method includes receiving packets from a circuit on the layer II bridging switch and making a forwarding decision for the packet based on at least one of the addresses of the packet being currently assigned to a second circuit.

Abstract: A speaker housing assembly including an adapter and a speaker enclosure is disclosed. The adapter has an escutcheon and a partially spherical recessed concave portion. The speaker enclosure has a partially spherical sidewall that is received in the recessed concave portion of the adapter. A lock assembly secures the speaker enclosure to the adapter through an arcuate slot. Flanges of the lock assembly are placed in registry with teeth formed on opposite sides of the arcuate slot to lock the speaker enclosure in place. An elastomeric pad is provided between the recessed concave portion and the partially spherical sidewall to dampen vibrations and supplement the locking engagement of the lock assembly.

Abstract: A network monitoring agent is disclosed that monitors network conditions, such as traffic volume, and determines when to dynamically adjust the encoding scheme for one or more connections. The network monitoring agent can select an encoding standard based on, for example, current network traffic volume, network error characteristics, time of day or day of week. In the illustrative network traffic implementation, an encoding standard that provides a lower degree of compression and a higher quality level is selected at times of lighter network traffic. Likewise, as network traffic increases, an encoding standard that provides a higher degree of compression, although at a lower quality level, is selected in order to maximize the network utilization. The network monitoring agent notifies one or both of the devices associated with each connection of changes in the encoding scheme. Generally, both devices must change the compression algorithm at the same time, to ensure proper decoding of received packets.

Abstract: A speaker system including in combination a speaker and surface mounting apparatus is disclosed. The speaker system has an adapter that secures the speaker system to the wall. A speaker box is secured to the adapter and has at least one speaker that is secured to at least one speaker portal wall of the speaker box, or speaker enclosure. A speaker portal wall is disposed in a plane that is oriented at an angle relative to the wall and is disposed outboard of the wall. A surface mounting adapter has a peripheral edge portion and a planar portion extending between the peripheral edge portion and the enclosure structure. Portions of at least four sides of the enclosure structure protrude from the planar portion of the wall. Other portions of at least four sides of the enclosure structure are recessed relative to the planar portion of the wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for notifying a far-end calling party when a near-end calling party utilizes a hold or mute feature. The present invention reduces bandwidth utilization by suppressing the transmission of packets during periods of extended silence. Each packet telephony device includes a packet suppression system that monitors local terminal activity and notifies the far-end party that the near-end device is discarding the “listen” stream. In addition, the disclosed packet suppression system monitors the incoming packets and processes such notifications from the far-end party that the far-end device is discarding the “listen” stream. In response, the packet suppression system can suppress the transmission of further packets and optionally activate a music-on-hold feature for the held party.

Abstract: A media exchange monitor is disclosed that selectively (i) introduces a mixer into a two-party call when the two-party call becomes a conference call (ad-hoc conference), and (ii) removes the mixer when one or more conference call participants drop out, leaving only two participants behind. When a party to a two-party call requests to convert the call into a conference call, the packet telephony system responds to the conference call request by connecting a mixer to service the conference call between the parties. When parties drops out of a conference call, leaving only two parties behind, the mixer is removed from the conference call. In one implementation, the mixer is removed from the conference call only if the two remaining parties can exchange media directly. When the media connection among the parties must be changed to introduce or remove the mixer, the media exchange monitor achieves the desired connectivity by initially querying the parties for their capabilities.

Abstract: A reconfigurable chip is described using a reconfigurable functional unit including a shifter unit, arithmetic logic unit and multiplexers. The data path units are interconnected to other data path units. The interconnection is preferably done by transferring word length data. The shifter allows for the word length data to be adjusted for use in the arithmetic logic unit. In a preferred embodiment the reconfigurable functional units are controlled by reconfigurable functional unit instructions. The reconfigurable functional unit instructions preferably are stored in a reconfigurable functional unit instruction memory which is addressed by a state machine on the chip.

Abstract: A network monitoring agent is disclosed that monitors network conditions, such as traffic volume, and determines when to dynamically adjust the encoding scheme for one or more connections. The network monitoring agent can select an encoding standard based on, for example, current network traffic volume, network error characteristics, time of day or day of week. In the illustrative network traffic implementation, an encoding standard that provides a lower degree of compression and a higher quality level is selected at times of lighter network traffic. Likewise, as network traffic increases, an encoding standard that provides a higher degree of compression, although at a lower quality level, is selected in order to maximize the network utilization. The network monitoring agent notifies one or both of the devices associated with each connection of changes in the encoding scheme. Generally, both devices must change the compression algorithm at the same time, to ensure proper decoding of received packets.

Abstract: A security device is attachable to a purse, baggage or other personal items and is also attached, by a cable, to a fixed, relatively immobile object. A housing having the size of a measuring tape contains a reel having a few feet of cable wound thereon. The cable is similar to steel or heavy nylon fishing line, being lightweight, strong and not very visible. The reel has a built-in sound making device generating an alarm sound, such as would occur if an unauthorized individual attempts to remove the purse from the location. In addition to activating the alarm, the cable hinders the physical removal of the purse.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the quality of an analog signal reproduced from digital samples by limiting the amount of sampling and quantization noise present within reproduced analog signals. The apparatus is comprised of a D/A converter coupled to an interpolator processing original digital samples operating at a reproduction rate greater than the original sampling frequency and at a digital resolution greater than or equal to the original digital samples to generate digital pseudo-samples. The processed digital pseudo-samples are then provided to the D/A converter at the reproduction rate. As a consequence of the increase in the reproduction rate, sampling noise is moved further away in the frequency domain from the original analog signal, thus eliminating or reducing the requirement for a low-pass filter. Due to the increased number of samples and the increased digital resolution of the samples, the reproduction errors are further minimized.

Abstract: An adjustable garment hanger (20) is disclosed having extension members (34, 36) which move laterally on a hanger frame (22). The extension members move as a result of engagement between a pair of flexible racks (44, 46) and a medially disposed pinion (50). Disclosed embodiments include manual adjustment knobs (380) and bidirectional electric motors (402) coupled to the pinion. Embodiments also include apparatus for indicating hanger size obtained by movement of the extension members.

Abstract: Transducer apparatus (10) responsive to external perturbations is disclosed having an electrically responsive transducer circuit (12) energized when a display member (18) and an elongate member (20) move from a gravity determined quiescent orientation (30A) therebetween to an external perturbation driven activate orientation (30B) therebetween. In various embodiments, the members are respectively responsive to air movement and acceleration. In one embodiment, the elongate member carries a first electrical contact (21) to abut a second electrical contact (22) carried by the display member.

Abstract: A plush toy is configured to replicate a dog and includes a battery-powered squeeze-operated light within one of the dog's front feet. The light is operated by raising the light supporting foot and squeezing the foot to energize the battery-powered light. A control circuit within the toy body controls a plurality of flashing lights and a sound output speaker to produce a series of predetermined sounds together with flashing lights when the control circuit is triggered. A pair of light responsive motion sensors are supported within the toy body and respond to changes of seam in close proximity to the front portion of the toy to trigger the operation of the control circuit and the production of sound and flashing lights. A manual trigger switch is also provided to initiate sound and light flashing.

Abstract: A clothes hanger in which each hanger arm is adjustable in length by means of an extender arm mounted for and operated by a mechanical system so that the extender arms move simultaneously either inward or outward by the same distance. The mechanical system may be hand operated or driven by an electric motor.

Abstract: Interactive game apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more photosensitive weapon devices which can interact with a coded video display and with each other to provide two-way interaction, where each weapon may score against an opponent and may be hit by an opponent. Accessory devices in the form of a photosensitive light source and a rotating mirror act to increase the excitement of the game play.