Abstract: Empirically derived models are used to relate user perception to objectively measurable characteristics, under a criterion of nearly perfect co-variance between predicted MOS values and the variations in the values of the objectively measurable characteristics. In the example context of evaluating packet switched telephony service, the present invention eliminates the need to perform subjective tests to characterize each combination of codec type and transmission protocol.

Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting computing devices against the effects of surreptitiously loaded machine language programs from a malware source. The user defines a pattern of disruption of the sequence of bytes. The user then installs legitimate programs to be run on a particular computing device by loading the original program onto the local hard drive and replacing the program by one to which the pattern of disruption has been applied. Using the user-defined disruption pattern, the computing device can define the transforms necessary to reverse the application of the disruptive pattern. As part of the process the operating system for the computing device is modified to apply transforms that reverse the disruption pattern when executing a program file loaded into RAM.

Abstract: Methods and systems for formulating and executing concept-structured queries of unorganized data are described. One described method for searching an unstructured data set includes receiving at least one user specified category whose definition is unconstrained, receiving at least one user specified token associated with the at least one category, generating a boolean query associated with the at least one token and the at least one category, executing the boolean query against an unstructured data set to identify at least one article identifier associated with an article, and creating a result set comprising the at least one article identifier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.

Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting computing devices against the effects of surreptitiously loaded machine language programs from a malware source. The user defines a pattern of disruption of the sequence of bytes. The user then installs legitimate programs to be run on a particular computing device by loading the original program onto the local hard drive and replacing the program by one to which the pattern of disruption has been applied. Using the user-defined disruption pattern, the computing device can define the transforms necessary to reverse the application of the disruptive pattern. As part of the process the operating system for the computing device is modified to apply transforms that reverse the disruption pattern when executing a program file loaded into RAM.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.

Abstract: Empirically derived models are used to relate user perception to objectively measurable characteristics, under a criterion of nearly perfect co-variance between predicted MOS values and the variations in the values of the objectively measurable characteristics. In the example context of evaluating packet switched telephony service, the present invention eliminates the need to perform subjective tests to characterize each combination of codec type and transmission protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating a group detection tool are described. One described method includes a set of data including a collection of asserted links between pairs of individuals, creating a sorted list of the individuals present in the collection of asserted links, and creating a square co-occurrence matrix describing the collection of asserted links, the square co-occurrence matrix including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns each containing the sorted list of individuals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for formulating and executing concept-structured queries of unorganized data are described. One described method for searching an unstructured data set includes receiving at least one user specified category whose definition is unconstrained, receiving at least one user specified token associated with the at least one category, generating a boolean query associated with the at least one token and the at least one category, executing the boolean query against an unstructured data set to identify at least one article identifier associated with an article, and creating a result set comprising the at least one article identifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting dropped packets in a network that includes a packet switched network. The method includes establishing a telephonic connection between a first network location and a second network location. A set of N waveforms are transmitted from the first network location. Each transmitted waveform includes a waveform characteristic operative to assign a predetermined value relative to other waveforms in the at least one set, such that a predetermined sequence of values are assigned to packets carrying the N transmitted waveforms. A telephonic signal is received at the second network location via the communications channel. The telephonic signal is processed to obtain a received sequence of values. The received sequence of values is compared to the predetermined sequence of transmitted values to detect dropped packets without having access to packet switched network control data.

Abstract: Empirically derived models are used to relate user perception to objectively measurable characteristics, under a criterion of nearly perfect co-variance between predicted MOS values and the variations in the values of the objectively measurable characteristics. In the example context of evaluating packet switched telephony service, the present invention eliminates the need to perform subjective tests to characterize each combination of codec type and transmission protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining what level of performance must be maintained by a second communication service so as to be perceived as being of equal quality to a first communication service, especially where the second communication service is subject to additional impairments not experienced by the first communication service. In one example embodiment, the present invention is applied to determining what combinations of packet loss rate and packet delay are tolerable where a packet switched telephony service is desired to be perceived to be substantially equivalent to a traditional toll-quality non-packet-switched telephone service. Empirically derived models are used to relate user perception to objectively measurable characteristics, such as packet loss rate.

Abstract: A test unit provides testing capability at a network interface device (NID). The test unit may be remotely activated so that testing is initiated upon activation from a remote site. In one embodiment, a characteristic signal is sent over a telephone line toward the NID. A characteristic signal is detected and the testing unit is activated. The testing unit may perform multiple types of tests, including tests for detecting line loss, line noise and latency. The test may be implemented using electronic circuitry or using an intelligent computer system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines relationships between facts. A driver matrix is created from a set of facts and a set of rules applying to the facts. Each entry in the driver matrix indicates whether one of the facts implies another one of the facts. Each of the facts comprises a observable fact relating to a physical object or activity. The driver matrix is multiplied by itself to derive a consequent matrix. The driver matrix is then compared to the consequent matrix to determine relationships between facts in the set of facts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting dropped packets in a network that includes a packet switched network. The method includes establishing a telephonic connection between a first network location and a second network location. A set of N waveforms are transmitted from the first network location. Each transmitted waveform includes a waveform characteristic operative to assign a predetermined value relative to other waveforms in the at least one set, such that a predetermined sequence of values are assigned to packets carrying the N transmitted waveforms. A telephonic signal is received at the second network location via the communications channel. The telephonic signal is processed to obtain a received sequence of values. The received sequence of values is compared to the predetermined sequence of transmitted values to detect dropped packets without having access to packet switched network control data.

Abstract: A method of for canceling echos at a first end of a telephone call marks every other byte of a first digital representation of a first analog signal originating at the first end of the call with a signature. A second digital representation of a second analog signal from the second end of the call is received at the first end and split into a stream of odd number bytes and a stream of even number bytes. The streams of bytes are analyzed for the presence of the signature and one of the streams of bytes is converted to a third analog signal if the signature is detected.

Abstract: A test unit provides testing capability at a network interface device (NID). The test unit may be remotely activated so that testing is initiated upon activation from a remote site. In one embodiment, a characteristic signal is sent over a telephone line toward the NID. A characteristic signal is detected and the testing unit is activated. The testing unit may perform multiple types of tests, including tests for detecting line loss, line noise and latency. The test may be implemented using electronic circuitry or using an intelligent computer system.

Abstract: A test unit provides testing capability at a network interface device (NID). The test unit may be remotely activated so that testing is initiated upon activation from a remote site. In one embodiment, a characteristic signal is sent over a telephone line toward the NID. A characteristic signal is detected and the testing unit is activated. The testing unit may perform multiple types of tests, including tests for detecting line loss, line noise and latency. The test unit may be implemented using electronic circuitry or using an intelligent computer system.