Abstract: Techniques for sharing routing information over a network include determining whether the scale of a flooding domain exceeds a threshold. If so, then a router announcement message is sent over a particular link. The message indicates the local router is a flooding domain border router (FDBR). Summary routing information is determined with less than a certain level of detail used in the flooding domain for routers connected to the local router through links different from the particular link. The summary routing information is sent over the particular link in a link state message that includes type data that indicates summary routing information that crosses a FDBR. These techniques allow automatic favorable scaling of domains of shared routing information as the size of a mobile ad hoc network grows.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating packets in a network environment is provided that includes a first network element that includes a first neighbor list, the first network element being coupled to a second network element and a third network element. The first network element is operable to receive a second neighbor list from the second network element and a third neighbor list from the third network element. The first network element is further operable to determine one or more overlaps provided by the second and third neighbor lists when compared to the first neighbor list, the first network element relaying an update that it receives based on the one or more overlaps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining network nodes for aggregating addresses in routing information used for routing data packets over a network. Link data and reachability data are received. Link data indicates direct links between each of multiple candidate routers of a network and a different router or a network segment. Reachability data indicates a set of one or more contiguous network addresses that can be reached on each link described in the link data. A measure of possible aggregation of contiguous network addresses is determined at the candidate routers based on the link data and the reachability data. A preferred router to aggregate addresses in routing information sent between routers in the network is determined among the candidate routers based on the measure of possible aggregation at each candidate router.

Abstract: Techniques for synchronizing routing data include determining whether conditions are satisfied for one-way transfer with an adjacent router. If it is determined that conditions are satisfied for one-way transfer of routing table data with the adjacent router, then a refresh-notice message is sent from the initiating router to the adjacent router. The refresh-notice message includes data that indicates a particular direction for transfer of routing table data. If the particular direction is inbound, then a copy of an adjacent routing table is received without sending a copy of the initiating router's own routing table. If the particular direction is outbound, then a copy of the own routing table is sent without receiving a copy of the adjacent routing table.

Abstract: One or more content providers push data related to: movies, movie products, digital movie content over a network (e.g., a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or a wireless network) onto an information filling station which, in turn, wirelessly transacts (over a network based on the 802.11b protocol) and transmits any requested data to a portable computer-based device (e.g., laptop, a pen-based computer device, a PDA, a wireless phone, or a pager). The portable device performs financial transactions for: purchasing movie tickets (directly or via auctions), downloading digital entertainment content of interest (e.g., copy of a movie of interest, copy of a movie identified based on a pre-stored profile, copy of soundtrack of a movie of interest), or movie related products. Any purchased digital content is either transferred wirelessly onto the portable device or, optionally, sent on a storage medium to a physical address associated with the profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and digital subscriber line (DSL) video services to multiple display devices are disclosed. Generally the disclosed system receives a plurality of DBS channels and DSL content. The system receives a first user-initiated video selection and generates a first television signal based on the first user-initiated video selection. The first television signal combines video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content for simultaneously displaying at least a portion of the video from at least one DBS channel and at least a portion of the video from the DSL content on a display device. The first television signal is then transmitted to a first display device. Additionally, the system receives a second user-initiated video selection, generates a second television signal based on the second user-initiated video selection, and transmits the second television signal to a second display device.

Abstract: Techniques for sending data in a packet-switched communications network include determining multiple subsets of adjacent network nodes of the network. The adjacent network nodes communicate without intervening network nodes with a particular network node through an interface on the particular network node. Each subset includes multiple adjacent network nodes. Subset definition data is sent through the interface. The subset definition data indicates which adjacent network nodes belong to which subset. Data for fewer than all adjacent network nodes in all subsets are sent by including, in a multicast data packet sent over the interface with a multicast destination address, subset identifier data that indicates a particular subset. When such data is received by a node, it is discarded unless the subset identifier matches the receiving node's subset identifier. Among other effects, this allows routing messages to be more efficiently sent to better performing neighboring network nodes.

Abstract: Techniques for recovering lost routes include receiving reported costs for transmitting data to a destination from neighboring nodes; and determining total costs as a sum of costs for transmitting data packets to the neighboring nodes and a corresponding reported cost. A selected neighboring node with a minimum total cost is determined as the next hop for the route to the destination. A feasible successor set of neighboring nodes which have reported costs less than the total cost of the selected neighboring node and excluding the selected neighboring node, and successor data about the feasible successor set, are determined. The successor data is sent to the neighboring nodes. A neighboring node that loses a route to the particular destination node is able to determine whether to query the sending node while recovering a lost route to the destination based on the successor data, thereby reducing network resource consumption.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting loops in routes that cross route information boundaries include receiving a control message at a first edge node on one side of the boundary that is connected to a different second edge node on another side of the boundary. The control message indicates a particular network address of a particular node that is reachable from the first edge node. Distinguisher data is determined that indicates if a node in the first collection can reach the first edge node without leaving the first collection. An advertising message is sent from the first edge node to the second edge node that includes route data that indicates the particular network address and the distinguisher data. Based on the distinguisher data, a testing edge node in the first collection can determine whether there is a loop comprising both an internal path and an external path to the first edge node.

Abstract: Each mobile ad hoc node has an assigned hierarchy position within an identified tree-based aggregation group. Each ad hoc node is configured for selectively attaching to one of a plurality of available ad hoc nodes based on identifying a best match, for the assigned hierarchy position within the identified aggregation group, from among identifiable hierarchy positions of identifiable aggregation groups. Each ad hoc node also is configured for selectively attaching to any available ad hoc node based on a determined absence of any available ad hoc node advertising the identified aggregation group of the ad hoc node, or an aggregation group containing the identified aggregation group. Hence, a root node of an aggregation group can filter group-specific routing information from packets destined toward a network clusterhead, resulting in a scalable routing protocol that is not adversely affected by added nodes.

Abstract: An audio system and method are disclosed. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, making a user interface available to a user. In practice, the user may indicate a desire to download a content file by selecting a link on the user interface page, which may be a webpage. In response, a first copy of the content file having an appropriate format may be made available for download to the user's cellular telephone over a wireless link and a second copy of the content file having a different format may be made available to the user's personal computer.

Abstract: A content delivery system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a personal computer having a storage device. The personal computer may have a software application saved on the storage device. In practice, the application may be capable of directing the personal computer to communicatively couple with a network based resource and to initiate presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) at the user computer system. In some cases, the GUI may act as a user interface for the network based resource. The system may also include a portable audio file player with a collection of locally saved instructions. The instructions may direct a processor of the player to maintain an updateable user interface that includes a menu of selectable icons and to modify the updateable user interface in connection with receiving an audio file from the personal computer.

Abstract: A broadband communication channel access network comprises an Ethernet device disposed in a serving area interface. The Ethernet device serves as an Ethernet bridge for a neighborhood service area. The Ethernet device communicates with a plurality of customer premises modems in the neighborhood service area. An Ethernet switch disposed at a central office communicates with the Ethernet device via a fiber optic medium using an Internet Protocol over a second Ethernet standard. The Ethernet switch provides a packet data core network termination.

Abstract: A multifunctional holder for receiving and removably securing a variety of different articles having various shapes, sizes and dimensions. The holder generally comprises a base member and a pair of L-shaped clamping members for receiving an article therebetween, wherein the clamping members are oriented towards one another at upward angles, and wherein gravity and the weight of the article forces the clamping members together to facilitate grasping of the article therebetween. The holder further comprises a support member disposed between the clamping members to provide additional support and stabilization to the article retained between the clamping members.

Abstract: A method of processing both two-octet and four-octet autonomous system (AS) identifier values in a first network node that communicates with peer network nodes using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), comprises receiving a first route message from a BGP peer node that is outside a local autonomous system that includes the first network node, wherein the BGP peer node can process only two-octet AS identifier values; identifying one or more extended community attributes in a route in the received route update message; for each of the identified extended community attributes, modifying the received route by creating an AS set containing four-octet AS identifier values carried in the identified extended community attributes, and attaching the AS set to the received route; and sending the modified received route to a third BGP node.

Abstract: An athletic performance monitoring system and method are disclosed that assist a user in monitoring an athletic endeavor. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a local area wireless transceiver capable of receiving a signal from a motion sensor. A performance engine may be communicatively coupled to the local area wireless transceiver. In operation, the performance engine may utilize the signal from the motion sensor to generate a performance metric like average speed or distance traveled. The system may also include an output mechanism such as an audio device capable of presenting the performance metric to a user in an audible message while also being capable of playing an audio representation of music to the user.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring the athletic performance of a user while also providing the user with entertainment such as an outputting of music. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining an enclosure. A performance engine may be located within the enclosure and may utilize a signal from a motion sensor to generate a performance metric like current speed, distance traveled, or cadence. The system may also include an audio and/or a visual output mechanism such as a speaker assembly or a display device. The output mechanism may be capable of presenting the performance metric to a user.

Abstract: A therapeutic floor mat system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mat having an aromatherapy cavity. The aromatherapy cavity may be formed to at least partially hold an aromatic substance. In some cases, the mat may be operational as a shower mat and may have a top surface with a shape that defines a perimeter, and a bottom surface spaced apart from the top surface. Depending upon design detail, the aromatherapy cavity may be at least partially located beneath the top surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining network nodes for aggregating addresses in routing information used for routing data packets over a network. Link data and reachability data are received. Link data indicates direct links between each of multiple candidate routers of a network and a different router or a network segment. Reachability data indicates a set of one or more contiguous network addresses that can be reached on each link described in the link data. A measure of possible aggregation of contiguous network addresses is determined at the candidate routers based on the link data and the reachability data. A preferred router to aggregate addresses in routing information sent between routers in the network is determined among the candidate routers based on the measure of possible aggregation at each candidate router.