Abstract: A digital repeater for use in a tree and branch communication network is disclosed. The digital repeater has first path for downstream data communications. The first path does not perform Viterbi decoding in order to minimize the delay for downstream communications. A second path with a Viterbi decoder is used to detect communications addressed to the digital repeater. The disclosure includes other related material including teachings on the integration of the digital repeater into a network including modifications to polling, discovery, and automatic gain control procedures.

Abstract: A method for rerouting email communications for a user (often a traveler) to send emails even when not connected. A method for routing email communications so that they will be received by email servers. The method comprises identifying the outgoing communication as an email before it reaches the wide area network (such as the Internet) (200) and routing the outgoing communication through an email server (304) affiliated with the equipment for operating the local area network (112). The email server (304) accepts the email from the local area network equipment (112) and routes the data communication to its original addressee either directly or through a proxy sever relationship with an ISP (308). After the email is routed by the email server (304), the data communication bears identifying information that it was transmitted from the email server (304) or the ISP (308) connected to the email server (304) by a proxy server relationship.

Abstract: A media converter for bridging or inter-connecting a power-line backhaul distribution (WAN) and coaxial (LAN) distribution within a Multi-Tenant Unit (“MTU”). The functions required to facilitate “converting” and transporting information between the power line distribution network and the coaxial distribution network would be contained within one or more (media converters).

Abstract: A method of using a modified DVB/MPEG2 data frame is disclosed. The method uses a data frame containing both downstream data and Upstream Request (“USR”) channel information in order to efficiently use the downstream frames. The USR channel is used primarily to poll the client modems to identify which modem need to use the upstream channel to transmit an upstream frame. A preferred location for embedding the USR message is within the FEC field, if the FEC field is not being used. Other inventive aspects of this and related concept are developed in the disclosed material. This Abstract is meant to be an aid to searches and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A method of finding the address of a previously undiscovered client modem first detects the presence of a previously undiscovered client modem on a tree and branch network then uses an efficient method to discern the address for the newly discovered client modem. The method can be coupled with a group polling method for efficiently polling client modems that minimizes the time wasted by polling a modem without data to transmit. In group polling, a broadcast message is sent to all modems (or a selected subset of modems). Each modem requiring service responds with a short burst of energy in its predefined time slot. These time slot responses are recorded and then normal poll messages are sent out to only the modems requesting service. The disclosure contains variations of these methods. This abstract is provided for patent searches, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Methods of providing added security for communications between a server and a particular client modem on a shared communication media. The methods provide for passing communications containing scrambled keys to be used to form scrambling seeds for scrambling subsequent messages. In a preferred embodiment, both the server and the client modem generate and pass keys to be used for the communications between the server and that client modem to achieve a dynamic dual key scrambling system.

Abstract: A method and system to expand digital transmission capacity in a “tree and branch” coax distribution system employing distributed TV signal amplifiers. Specifically, a number of separate bands are used in a main feeder cable that are frequency shifted and applied to a number of local coax distribution networks. In the preferred embodiment each of the local coax distribution networks use the same pair of upstream and downstream frequencies. Using identical pairs of upstream and downstream frequencies allows the use of a single standardized non-tuning end-user data interface (client modem), that can be connected to any of the local coax distribution networks. This abstract is provided as a tool for those searching for patents, and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A set of system configurations adapted to provide data communications to and from a set of client modems connected to one or more central modems through a tree and branch network such as exists in buildings, hotels, multiple dwelling units and the like to distribute cable television signals to individual rooms. The set of one or more central modems is connected directly or indirectly to one or more networks such as the Internet. Optionally, some components of this system can be placed at the cable television head-end for ease of access for maintenance.

Abstract: In a shared transmission media communication system with an upstream frequency and a downstream frequency carrying telephony such as TDM PCM data in addition to other data types, it is useful to use a master frame format that sends downstream the TDM PCM data sub-packets to a set of downstream modem devices and to provide the downstream modem devices with staggered times to respond. The master frame then continues to send downstream data types such as video that do not trigger a response from the downstream modems during a period of time allocated for the downstream modems to send upstream transmissions of TDM PCM. A set of rules can be implemented within this system to favor the transmission of higher priority data types while preventing any data type from taking too much of the downstream bandwidth.