Abstract: A boundary control device, a boundary control system, and a method of conditioning the behavior of animals are provided. The boundary control device includes a base member configured to be positioned adjacent a boundary, a sound emitter coupled to the base member and configured to emit a sound upon activation, a light emitter coupled to the base member and configured to emit a light upon activation, and a boundary sensor coupled to the base member and configured to sense an object disposed adjacent the boundary. The sound emitter and the light emitter are activated upon sensing of the object by the boundary sensor.

Abstract: A method includes instantiating a first detection agent based on detection criteria, where the first detection agent includes first program code executable by a second computing device to monitor network activity. The method further includes sending the first program code of the first detection agent to the second computing device for execution. When the first program code of the first detection agent is executed at the second computing device, the first detection agent causes network activity data to be transmitted to a network monitor, and the network monitor updates the detection criteria based on the network activity data to generate updated detection criteria. The method also includes instantiating a second detection agent based on the updated detection criteria and sending second program code of the second detection agent to the second computing device for execution.

Abstract: A boundary control device, a boundary control system, and a method of conditioning the behavior of animals are provided. The boundary control device includes a base member configured to be positioned adjacent a boundary, a sound emitter coupled to the base member and configured to emit a sound upon activation, a light emitter coupled to the base member and configured to emit a light upon activation, and a boundary sensor coupled to the base member and configured to sense an object disposed adjacent the boundary. The sound emitter and the light emitter are activated upon sensing of the object by the boundary sensor.

Abstract: A method includes instantiating a first detection agent based on detection criteria, where the first detection agent includes first program code executable by a second computing device to monitor network activity. The method further includes sending the first program code of the first detection agent to the second computing device for execution. When the first program code of the first detection agent is executed at the second computing device, the first detection agent causes network activity data to be transmitted to a network monitor, and the network monitor updates the detection criteria based on the network activity data to generate updated detection criteria. The method also includes instantiating a second detection agent based on the updated detection criteria and sending second program code of the second detection agent to the second computing device for execution.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for re-establishing at least one link to a vehicle are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves transmitting, by a control station, a deployment control signal to a deployment device located underwater. The method further involves receiving, by the deployment device, the deployment control signal. Also, the method involves deploying, by the deployment device, the buoy device from a first position to a second position located above the first position upon receipt of the deployment control signal by the deployment device. In addition, the method involves transmitting and/or receiving, by the control station, at least one first linking signal to the buoy device. Further, the method involves transmitting and/or receiving, by the buoy device, at least one second linking signal to the vehicle to re-establish the at least one link.

Abstract: A headset is provided for use by a user to effect voice communication in a sound-restricted environment. The headset includes a microphone that converts the user's voice at a first sound level to produce a first audio signal. The headset also includes an apparatus with circuitry that amplifies the first audio signal to produce a second audio signal representing that produced by conversion of the user's voice at a greater, second sound level by the microphone, and outputs the second audio signal for communication to a telecommunications device or sound recording device. The circuitry also receives a third audio signal and measures a third sound level thereof. The circuitry produces a feedback signal in at least one instance in which the third sound level is greater than a threshold sound level that is less than the second sound level, and outputs the feedback signal for communication to the user.

Abstract: A headset is provided for use by a user to effect voice communication in a sound-restricted environment. The headset includes a microphone that converts the user's voice at a first sound level to produce a first audio signal. The headset also includes an apparatus with circuitry that amplifies the first audio signal to produce a second audio signal representing that produced by conversion of the user's voice at a greater, second sound level by the microphone, and outputs the second audio signal for communication to a telecommunications device or sound recording device. The circuitry also receives a third audio signal and measures a third sound level thereof. The circuitry produces a feedback signal in at least one instance in which the third sound level is greater than a threshold sound level that is less than the second sound level, and outputs the feedback signal for communication to the user.

Abstract: An upright sleep support system incorporates a head cushion having a face relief aperture to receive the eyes, nose, mouth and chin of a passenger placing his or her face against the head cushion with a hinged support structure for angular adjustment, sleeves that open in front to support the passengers arms, and a chest cushion on the back of the device. The chest cushion receives the passenger's chest in a forward leaning position. The head cushion is deployable from a backpack and the chest cushion is integrated into the back of the backpack.

Abstract: An upright sleep support system incorporates a head cushion having a face relief aperture to receive the eyes, nose, mouth and chin of a passenger placing his or her face against the head cushion with a hinged support structure for angular adjustment, sleeves that open in front to support the passengers arms, and a chest cushion on the back of the device. The chest cushion receives the passenger's chest in a forward leaning position. The head cushion is deployable from a backpack and the chest cushion is integrated into the back of the backpack.

Abstract: A sleep support system incorporates a head cushion having a face relief aperture to receive the nose and chin of a passenger placing his face against the head cushion and a chest cushion attached to the head cushion with a hinged support structure for angular adjustment. The chest cushion receives the passenger's chest in a forward leaning position. Suspension arms are attached to the hinged support structure and extend over the passenger's shoulders for attachment to a seat back frame.

Abstract: A system for performing a mission/control application by means of an integrated application in a network-centric environment using one or more capabilities attributed to the application, with each capability being assigned one or more priorities for the application. The system may have at least one node configured to identify a change in the one or more capabilities, and to negotiate in the network-centric environment to resolve the change. The node may further be configured to negotiate until the application is provided with one or more resources resolving the change in accordance with one or more applicable priorities.

Abstract: A sleep support system incorporates a head cushion having a face relief aperture to receive the nose and chin of a passenger placing his face against the head cushion and a chest cushion attached to the head cushion with a hinged support structure for angular adjustment. The chest cushion receives the passenger's chest in a forward leaning position. Suspension arms are attached to the hinged support structure and extend over the passenger's shoulders for attachment to a seat back frame.

Abstract: A method of managing a network includes configuring nodes and applications of the network to refer to the same framework of predefined network capabilities. Each of the applications is configured to implement one or more of the capabilities. Each of the applications also is configured to negotiate, as to each of the capabilities, with the nodes to obtain a network resource to support the capabilities. Each node is configured to negotiate, after an application obtains a network resource, with other nodes to optimize network resource allocation. This method provides a framework for application self-healing and network optimization that can improve network performance.

Abstract: A method of managing resources in a network. For each application executing on a host device, data transfer requirements are determined based on a capability level currently acceptable for the application. Methods of data transfer currently available to the host device for applying toward the data transfer requirements of the applications are determined. The method includes arbitrating allocation of network resources to a gateway and allocation of resources of the gateway to the host device based on probability of application effectiveness and network bandwidth management priorities, and arbitrating allocation of host device resources to the applications based on current acceptable capability level and probability of application effectiveness.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring of the performance of a network. From a set of predefined network capabilities, one or more of the network capabilities is attributed to an application of the network. Activity of the application running in the network is sampled to individually monitor each capability attributed to the application. This method allows the collection and evaluation of usage information for each application by network capability. A user can also manipulate a NCO environment by adding phantom nodes and/or resources to observe effects on capability loads.

Abstract: A system for performing a mission/control application by means of an integrated application in a network-centric environment using one or more capabilities attributed to the application, with each capability being assigned one or more priorities for the application. The system may have at least one node configured to identify a change in the one or more capabilities, and to negotiate in the network-centric environment to resolve the change. The node may further be configured to negotiate until the application is provided with one or more resources resolving the change in accordance with one or more applicable priorities.

Abstract: A system for performing an application in a network-centric environment using capabilities attributed to the application. Each capability is assigned one or more priorities for the application. At least one node is configured to identify a change in the capabilities and negotiate in the network-centric environment to resolve the change. Nodes are may negotiate until the application is provided with resources resolving the change in accordance with applicable priorities. This method provides a self-healing capability in a net-centric environment. Thus an application may be enabled to continue even under rapidly changing circumstances.

Abstract: A method for improving data throughput across a local area network (LAN) that is adapted for use onboard an aircraft (mobile LAN) and that may also be connected to at least one wide area network (WAN). To improve data throughput across the computer network, the mobile LAN's system software automatically evaluates and modifies, if necessary, the operation parameter settings of a personal computer connected to the mobile LAN. The present invention also discloses a real-time throughput optimization procedure that is comprised of sending a series of sample file types to a predetermined recipient and setting the operational parameter settings on the user's PC and the data packet size to a set of values that produce the fastest throughput for the file type associated with the user's primary activity.

Abstract: A network architecture for blocking access to mobile pay per use Internet services is provided that comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) sniffer that pings the network devices to determine presence of a network device and which further communicates the presence thereof to a server such that access to the Internet services by the network device may be blocked. Generally, the IP sniffer sweeps all possible combinations of addresses in a LINKLOCAL network to detect the addition of a network device on a port and reconfirms for a period of time to verify the presence thereof. Once the network device is confirmed, a signal is transmitted to the server such that the sharing violation may be further investigated or terminated. The IP sniffer is preferably in the form of a module within a seat electronics box of a mobile platform.

Abstract: A method for providing communication service onboard a remote location where landline and cellular telephone service is unavailable. The method utilizes a communication system that includes an onboard local area network (LAN) having an onboard server, at least one smart communication device operable by an onboard user, and a base station server system having a base station server. The method connects the smart device to the onboard LAN using one of a plurality of input/output (I/O) interfaces, utilizes a wireless communication link and IP telephony to exchange communications between the onboard server and the base station server; and controls data flow within the communication system.