Abstract: A communication system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of point-to-point links that interconnect the plurality of nodes into a network. Each node includes an optical switch to controllably route a plurality of in-ports of the optical switch into a plurality of out-ports of the optical switch. Each point-to-point link includes a free space optical channel. A first free space optical channel couples to a first node through a receive path and through a transmit path. The receive path couples to a respective in-port of the optical switch of the first node, and the transmit path coupled to a respective out-port of the optical switch of the first node. In an alternative embodiment, a communication hub includes a plurality of neighborhood links, and a trunk coupled between the optical switch and a free space optical channel link to the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products measure health data related to a user. A time-stamped device identifier is received that uniquely identifies a communications device. A time-stamped sensor measurement is separately-received. A difference in time between the time-stamped device identifier and the time-stamped sensor measurement is determined. When the difference in time is within a window of time, then the sensor measurement is associated with the device identifier.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products measure health data related to a user. Often times a weight scale, blood pressure monitor, or other medical measurement device is shared among a group of users. A time-stamped physiological measurement is compared to a time-stamped message from a mobile device. If the timestamps are contemporaneous, then the physiological measurement is bound to the mobile device.

Abstract: The present method enables an RFID repeater to be used in conjunction with an RFID tag to allow data in the RFID tag to be read using wireless packet switched technologies. For example, the present method enables an RFID repeater to be coupled with an RFID tag. The RFID repeater reads and records the data from the RFID tag and then transmits the retrieved data from the RFID tag over a wireless packet network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products measure health data related to a user. A spoken phrase is received and time-stamped. The user is identified from the spoken phrase. A window of time is determined from a semantic content of the spoken phrase. A sensor measurement is received and time-stamped. A difference in time between the time-stamped spoken phrase and the time-stamped sensor measurement is determined and compared to the window of time. When the difference in time is within the window of time, then the sensor measurement is associated with the user.

Abstract: The RF signal generated by a ZigBee radio on the outside of a building structure is conveyed to the interior of the building by guiding it along an electric cable bundle that passes through the building's wall to supply domestic electric power to the interior of the structure. The RF signal is launched by a unique coupler comprising a pair of insulated foil conductors.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides a system and method for wireless monitoring of sports activities. A subject participating in a sports activity is associated with biometric sensors which measure the subject's body movements. In one aspect, the system includes a sensor for continuously gathering biometric data from a subject performing a sports activity where the biometric data associated with the body movements of the subject. A wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor transmits the biometric data and a database engine receives the biometric data from the wireless transceiver and providing real-time feedback. The real-time feedback associated with the biometric data from the subject is characterized by instructions associated with the sports activity.

Abstract: A path configuration message is sent to nodes in a multi-hop network along a path between a source node and destination nodes. The path configuration message includes path information and one or more special channel access parameters associated with the path information. The path configuration message temporarily changes the channel access priority for packets matching the path information in the special message. The nodes along the path therefore have higher channel access priority relative to other nearby nodes and other traffic flows. At the end of the a length of a time determined by a time to live parameter in the special message, the nodes resume using default channel access parameters in place of the special channel access parameters for packets matching the path information.

Abstract: A transmit switched antenna system utilizes one of several antennas selection protocols combined with feedback from a receiving device to take advantage of time and space transmission for the same information. A transmit device transmits first information over a first subset of a set of antennas and receives an ACK or NACK from the receiver along with a channel quality indicator. If a NACK is received, the transmitter selects a next antenna subset for transmission, based on the antenna selection protocol utilized. One protocol randomly selects the next subset and does not require the channel quality indicator. Another protocol determines the next antenna subset based on channel quality history, and a third protocol selects the next antenna subset based on expectation of retransmissions for different protocols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a terahertz link using a multi-element lens array that comprises a plurality of active beam steering device are disclosed. For example, the method receives detected terahertz signals from one or more detectors, where an active beam steering device is deployed with each of the one or more detectors, and determines, for each of the detected signals, if the detected signal is out of focus from a focus point. The method applies a corrective signal to each active beam steering device that corresponds to a detected terahertz signal that is out of focus from the focus point, wherein the corrective signal causes the detected signal to be redirected, and measures a signal-to-noise ratio of the detected signals. The method then establishes the terahertz link via at least one of the detected terahertz signals with a highest signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A method, non-transistory computer readable medium and system for dynamically assigning a request for wireless communication service are disclosed. For example, the method receives the request for wireless communication service from a mobile device, and forwards the request to a plurality of wireless network service providers to solicit at least one bid for servicing the request. The method receives the at least one bid from the plurality of wireless network service providers to service the request, and determines by a coordinating device a winning bid from the at least one bid. The method then assigns a wireless network service provider from the plurality of wireless network service providers to service the request, wherein the assigned wireless network service provider is associated with the winning bid.

Abstract: A path configuration message is sent to nodes in a multi-hop network along a path between a source node and destination nodes. The path configuration message includes path information and one or more special channel access parameters associated with the path information. The path configuration message temporarily changes the channel access priority for packets matching the path information in the special message. The nodes along the path therefore have higher channel access priority relative to other nearby nodes and other traffic flows. At the end of the a length of a time determined by a time to live parameter in the special message, the nodes resume using default channel access parameters in place of the special channel access parameters for packets matching the path information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products measure health data related to a user. A spoken phrase is received and time-stamped. The user is identified from the spoken phrase. A window of time is determined from a semantic content of the spoken phrase. A sensor measurement is received and time-stamped. A difference in time between the time-stamped spoken phrase and the time-stamped sensor measurement is determined and compared to the window of time. When the difference in time is within the window of time, then the sensor measurement is associated with the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a terahertz link using a multi-element lens array that comprises a liquid lens are disclosed. For example, the method receives detected terahertz signals from one or more detectors, where a liquid lens is deployed with each of the one or more detectors. The method determines, for each of the detected signals, if the detected signal is out of focus, and applies a corrective voltage to each liquid lens that corresponds to a detected terahertz signal that is out of focus, wherein the corrective voltage adjusts a focus of the detected signal. The method measures a signal-to-noise ratio of the detected signals, and establishing a terahertz link via at least one of the detected terahertz signals with a highest signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A cellular arrangement where, when a cell phone is in a region where it may be served by two bases stations, it switches its mode of operation to space-time coding where the space diversity for such coding is obtained by using the antennas of the two base stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing eye-scan authentication using an adaptive liquid lens are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the method receives a request for eye-scan authentication from a mobile endpoint device of a user, wherein the request comprises a first retinal image of the user captured using an adaptive liquid lens of the mobile endpoint device. The method obtains a second retinal image of the user, wherein the second retinal image is a stored retinal image of the user. The method authenticates the first retinal image against the second retinal image. In another embodiment, the method captures a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of the user, wherein the mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens. The method then sends a request for eye-scan authentication from the mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises the first retinal image.

Abstract: A security device for detecting the position of a manhole cover includes a pinger device, such as an acoustic pinger, that transmits a signal in the direction of the expected position of the manhole cover. The device takes energy samples to determine if the signal has been reflected back by the manhole cover. If the device determines the signal has not been reflected, it determines that the manhole cover has been moved from the expected position. In response, the device captures an image of an area around the expected position of the manhole cover. In addition, the device can notify a remote security station via a network that the manhole cover has been moved.

Abstract: The RF signal generated by a ZigBee radio on the outside of a building structure is conveyed to the interior of the building by guiding it along an electric cable bundle that passes through the building's wall to supply domestic electric power to the interior of the structure. The RF signal is launched by a unique coupler comprising a pair of insulated foil conductors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing eye-scan authentication using an adaptive liquid lens are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the method receives a request for eye-scan authentication from a mobile endpoint device of a user, wherein the request comprises a first retinal image of the user captured using an adaptive liquid lens of the mobile endpoint device. The method obtains a second retinal image of the user, wherein the second retinal image is a stored retinal image of the user. The method authenticates the first retinal image against the second retinal image. In another embodiment, the method captures a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of the user, wherein the mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens. The method then sends a request for eye-scan authentication from the mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises the first retinal image.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can employ a control plane for managing communications with respect to a set of sensors. By utilizing a control plane, a distinction between control messages and data messages can be provided in a standardized way and the set of sensors can benefit from additional functionality and configurability. For example, the control plane can be employed to modify parameters associated with the set of sensors, which can be effectuated in real time and in situ as opposed to at the time of fabrication or deployment. Moreover, such modifications can relate to both the sensing portions of a particular sensor as well as the communication portions of a particular sensor.