Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening a request to establish a SIP session is provided. The method may include a) receiving a request to establish a SIP session at a network node of an internet protocol network and incrementing a counter, b) determining whether the request includes a resource priority parameter with an elevated priority value and, if so, incrementing a counter, c) comparing a ratio of the priority request count to the total request count to a threshold, and d) processing each request that includes the elevated priority value using more comprehensive screening after the ratio exceeds the threshold, allowing processing for each request that includes the elevated priority value to continue in accordance with the elevated priority value after the ratio does not exceed the threshold, and allowing processing for each request that does not include the elevated priority value to continue in accordance with a routine priority.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include hand-held handles and systems for balloon-tipped catheter interventions that enable a user to appreciate a combination of palpable sensations as though his or her hand is actual anatomic tissue in situ in real time. The system may include a haptic handle coupled to the proximal end of the catheter where the haptic handle includes a balloon-shaped haptic interface that exhibits geometric characteristics reflecting an anatomy of the interventional balloon and provides tangible sensations representative of tissues surrounding the interventional balloon. Multiple sensors and actuators may be used to create a non-virtual, transparent experience communicated to a user with a three dimensional, volumetric haptic display.

Abstract: A capability is provided for detecting a misaligned page of a document. A method includes detecting that a page is misaligned and generating a control signal adapted for use in triggering presentation of an alarm indicating that the page is misaligned. A method includes detecting that a page is misaligned and initiating one or more control actions for the misaligned page. These and other methods may be performed on any suitable copy device, such as on a fax machine, a photocopy machine, a scanner, a photograph copying device, a user device, a network device, and the like, as well as devices having combinations of such functionality.

Abstract: A security system is provided for a facility (10). The security system includes: a central monitoring station (20) that controls one or more security measures for the facility (10); and, a heart rate monitor (30) that detects a heart rate of an individual (50), the heart rate monitor (30) being in wireless communication with the central monitoring station (20). Suitably, the central monitoring station (20) selectively implements one or more of the security measures in response to a determination that an abnormal heart rate has been detected.

Abstract: A method of supporting a mid-call hand-off feature (22) is provided in a telecommunications network (40). The method includes: connecting a first call through a first switching facility (20) of the telecommunications network (40) such that a first party served by the first switching facility (20) and a second party are participating in the call; making a decision to invoke the mid-call hand-off feature (22); placing a second call from the first switching facility (20) to a designated telephone number; and, connecting the second party to the second call.

Abstract: An Internet Service Provider (ISP) node is configured to suppress malicious session initiation protocol (SIP) messages. The ISP node is coupled to receive a new session initiation protocol (SIP) message from a user agent client associated with the ISP. If the SIP message includes a resource priority header (RPH) indicating the new SIP message should be given priority within the network, the ISP node determines whether the user agent client previously sent an initial SIP message with an RPH that has not yet been authorized, and if so, places the new SIP message in a buffer.

Abstract: A method of supporting a mid-call hand-off feature (22) is provided in a telecommunications network (40). The method includes: connecting a first call through a first switching facility (20) of the telecommunications network (40), the first call being connected between a first party served by the first switching facility (20) and a second party; receiving a second call at the first switching facility (20) for the first party while the first party is still connected to the first call; determining where the second call originated from; and, selectively connecting the second party to the second call in response to the determined origin of the second call.

Abstract: A manner of creating an electronic device directory containing the identity of electronic devices that registered in an area associated with a plurality of events, which events are similar in certain respects. The directory is useful, for example, investigating criminal cases. When such an event occurs, an application server is notified and generates one or more device registration capture requests to determine which electronic devices are registered in the area and at approximately the same time at which the event occurs. The device registration capture associated with this event is compared with other device registration captures associated with other, similar events to create the electronic device directory. The electronic device directory entries are preferable filtered to select the devices most likely to be associated with the actual events in question.

Abstract: Provided herein are implantable systems that include an implantable photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which can be used to obtain an arterial PPG waveform. In an embodiment, a metric of a terminal portion of an arterial PPG waveform is determined, and a metric of an initial portion of the arterial PPG waveform is determined, and a surrogate of mean arterial pressure is determined based on the metric of the terminal portion and the metric of the initial portion. In another embodiment, a surrogate of diastolic pressure is determined based on a metric of a terminal portion of an arterial PPG waveform. In a further embodiment, a surrogate of cardiac afterload is determined based on a metric of a terminal portion of an arterial PPG waveform.

Abstract: Cardiac tissue motion characteristics acquired by novel cardiac sensors are analyzed and processed for the derivation of physiological indices. The indices are output to a hand held local or remote volumetric haptic display and enable an operator to obtain motion related dynamic characteristics of cardiac tissues. The ability to tactually sense the motion of cardiac tissue and the affect on such motion from inserted cardiovascular instrumentation enhances the operator's performance of procedures including the positioning and placement of implanted catheters/sensors, extraction of permanently implanted leads and delivery of cardiovascular therapies. Optimal haptic rendering is achieved by using computational techniques to reconstruct the physically and perceptually relevant aspects of acquired signals and bridge the gap between the inserted catheter and operator's hand/catheter handle.

Abstract: The cross-correlation of corresponding signals facilitates the development of sensor nanotechnologies including a catheter for performing ablation of cardiac arrhythmias and a biocompatible electrical interface with monitoring capabilities. Cross-correlation of data acquired with differing techniques enables system calibration and design, as well as, validation of the data acquired with next generation sensors. In a preferred mode of the invention, novel cardiac nanosensors enable an operator to differentiate one individual patient's cardiac tissue mechanical properties from others by using a sense of touch much as clinicians today use auditory cues with a stethoscope.

Abstract: A method of determining pacing therapy for an individual patient including determining representative electromechanical physiologic characteristics for a plurality of normal patients having a range of anatomical dimensions and developing a plurality of normal templates. Each template indicates the representative electromechanical physiologic characteristics of a group of normal patients having similar anatomical dimensions.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a slatted floor comprises a floor covering apparatus for placement on the individual slats of a slatted floor. Each floor covering apparatus includes an elongated elastomeric mat (410) adapted to be fitted to a floor slat. The mat has a rigid fixing base (411), a flexible core (11) and an outer skin (415). The rigid fixing base (411), the flexible core (11) and the outer skin (415) are integrally formed together. The mat has a longitudinal leg (413) at each side to locate the mat. Also a flap valve (412) is mounted on each leg and protrudes into the gap between adjacent slats.

Abstract: A first lead provides therapeutic stimulation to the heart and includes a first mechanical sensor that measures physical contraction and relaxation of the heart. A controller induces delivery of therapeutic stimulation via the first lead. The controller receives signals from the first mechanical sensor indicative of the contraction and relaxation; develops a template signal that corresponds to the contraction and relaxation; and uses the template signal to modify the delivery of therapeutic stimulations. In another arrangement, a second lead, with a second mechanical sensor also provides signals to the controller indicative of contraction and relaxation. The first mechanical sensor is adapted to be positioned at the interventricular septal region of the heart, and the second mechanical sensor is adapted to be positioned in the lateral region of the left ventricle. The controller processes the signals from the first mechanical sensor and the second mechanical sensor to develop a dysynchrony index.

Abstract: A method of determining pacing therapy for an individual patient including determining representative electromechanical physiologic characteristics for a plurality of normal patients having a range of anatomical dimensions and developing a plurality of normal templates. Each template indicates the representative electromechanical physiologic characteristics of a group of normal patients having similar anatomical dimensions.

Abstract: A system with an implantable cardiac stimulation device having an implantable stimulation generator, at least one implantable lead adapted for connection to the implantable stimulation generator and further adapted for at least one of sensing physiologic activity and delivery of therapy, memory, and a controller in communication with the memory and with the at least one implantable lead and stimulation generator. The controller is configured to automatically evaluate a patient's physiologic status and selectively induce delivery of therapeutic stimulation under variable timing parameters. The system also has a measurement system adapted to measure at least one of strain and velocity of myocardial tissue and is adapted to evaluate strain and/or velocity measures and adjust the variable timing parameters of the implantable stimulation device to increase mechanical synchrony of the myocardial tissue.

Abstract: A method is provided in a telecommunications network for clandestinely providing a transmission relay service (TRS) to a called party (30). The method includes: receiving a first call from a calling party (10), the first call being received at a network node (40) serving a called party (30) for which the first call is intended; detecting the called party (30) answering the first call; and, determining whether or not to invoke a feature (44) supported by the network node (40).

Abstract: A method of administering a priority service is provided in a telecommunications network (20). The priority service provides higher priority handling of calls employing the service as compared to calls not employing the service for purposes of call completion. The method includes: obtaining at least one authentication credential from a user placing a call over the network (20); verifying a validity of the obtained credential; designating the call for priority handling if the credential is valid, otherwise designating the call for non-priority handling if the credential is invalid; and, attempting to complete the call over the network (20) in accordance with the designated handling.

Abstract: A method is provided for routing an emergency call. The method comprises receiving an emergency call and identifying an end node associated with the call. The end node may be a communications device involved in establishing the emergency call that is geographically near the originator of the emergency call. A look-up table is then accessed to identify the appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP) associated with the end node, and the emergency call is routed to the identified PSAP.

Abstract: A security protocol is disclosed for detecting occurrences of intruder activity, including hidden or concealed activity that may occur in a computer system including a host platform operably connected to an application platform. The protocol relies on parameters defining a tag sequence and syntax commonly known to the application platform and host platform (and hence the user) to detect occurrences of intruder activity during the session.