Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing time-sensitive packetized data streams at a receiver includes receiving a time-sensitive packet of a data stream, analyzing an energy level of a payload signal of the packet, and determining whether to drop the packet based on the energy level of the payload signal.

Abstract: Negative electrode compositions for use in a lithium-ion electrochemical cell are provided that has the formula, SixSnqMyCz, wherein q, x, y, and z represent mole fractions, q, x, and z are greater than zero and M is one or more transition metals. The provided electrode compositions are amorphous and can be made by sputtering or ball milling. Typically, 0.50?x?0.83, 0.02?y?0.10, 0.25?z?0.35, and 0.02?q?0.05. Electrodes made using the provided electrode compositions can include a binder than can be lithium polyacrylate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing time-sensitive packetized data streams at a receiver includes receiving a time-sensitive packet of a data stream, analyzing an energy level of a payload signal of the packet, and determining whether to drop the packet based on the energy level of the payload signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing time-sensitive packetized data streams at a receiver includes receiving a time-sensitive packet of a data stream, analyzing an energy level of a payload signal of the packet, and determining whether to drop the packet based on the energy level of the payload signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing time-sensitive packetized data streams at a receiver includes receiving a time-sensitive packet of a data stream, analyzing an energy level of a payload signal of the packet, and determining whether to drop the packet based on the energy level of the payload signal.

Abstract: Methods for concealing audible distortions resulting from changes in jitter buffer size include receiving an audio stream, storing the audio stream in a jitter buffer, and determining a pitch period associated with the audio stream. To expand the jitter buffer, a method includes inserting additional audio data that has a duration corresponding to an integer multiple of the pitch period into the audio stream. To contract the jitter buffer, a method includes removing a portion of the audio stream having a duration corresponding to an integer multiple of the pitch period.

Abstract: Various aspects of an interactive multimedia system and associated methods. In general, the multimedia system employs central and peripheral hubs that function to provide services to a plurality of clients of a call manager server, or manager subsystem. The hubs and subsystem cooperate to serve requests originating in the plurality of clients. The client-server-client architecture allows for distributed processing and resource management. Redundant connections between the various network subsystems and hubs provide survivability. Each subsystem or hub is provided with the ability to initialize or recover from systemic errors, thereby distributing initialization and recovery. Certain of the distributed resources are capable of being managed from other subsystems, thereby allowing sharing of the resources. An open numbering plan allows efficient call treatment of dialed numbers. Call processing is sharable between multiple manager subsystems.

Abstract: An apparatus for interactive communications is provided that includes an interactive element, which includes a plurality of keys. One or more of the keys are operable to trigger an audible message to be communicated to an end-user when the end-user depresses and holds a selected one of the keys. The audible message provides descriptive information associated with the selected key.

Abstract: An apparatus for interactive communications is provided that includes an interactive element, which includes a plurality of keys. One or more of the keys are operable to trigger an audible message to be communicated to an end-user when the end-user depresses and holds a selected one of the keys. The audible message provides descriptive information associated with the selected key.

Abstract: A system (10) includes a packet-switched network (12). A plurality of telephones (21-26) are each coupled to the network. A call manager server (31) is also coupled to the network, in order to interact with the telephones to implement telephony functions. Each of the telephones has the capability to act as an independent network client, by using Internet-compatible protocols to communicate directly with a resource server, without the participation or even the awareness of the call manager server. The resource server may be a local server (32) coupled directly to the network, or a remote server (66-68) coupled to the network through some other network, such as the Internet (52).

Abstract: Various aspects of an interactive multimedia system and associated methods. In general, the multimedia system employs central and peripheral hubs that function to provide services to a plurality of clients of a call manager server, or manager subsystem. The hubs and subsystem cooperate to serve requests originating in the plurality of clients. The client-server-client architecture allows for distributed processing and resource management. Redundant connections between the various network subsystems and hubs provide survivability. Each subsystem or hub is provided with the ability to initialize or recover from systemic errors, thereby distributing initialization and recovery. Certain of the distributed resources are capable of being managed from other subsystems, thereby allowing sharing of the resources. An open numbering plan allows efficient call treatment of dialed numbers. Call processing is sharable between multiple manager subsystems.

Abstract: Various aspects of an interactive multimedia system and associated methods. In general, the multimedia system employs central and peripheral hubs that function to provide services to a plurality of clients of a call manager server, or manager subsystem. The hubs and subsystem cooperate to serve requests originating in the plurality of clients. The client-server-client architecture allows for distributed processing and resource management. Redundant connections between the various network subsystems and hubs provide survivability. Each subsystem or hub is provided with the ability to initialize or recover from systemic errors, thereby distributing initialization and recovery. Certain of the distributed resources are capable of being managed from other subsystems, thereby allowing sharing of the resources. An open numbering plan allows efficient call treatment of dialed numbers. Call processing is sharable between multiple manager subsystems.