Abstract: There is provided a powerline network that includes a number of stations including a central coordinator for coordinating transmissions of each of the stations. Each of the stations is configurable to generate one or more tone maps for communicating with each of the other stations in the powerline network. Each tone map includes a set of tones to be used on a communication link between two of the stations. Each tone map further includes a unique set of modulation methods for each tone. Each of the stations is further configurable to generate a default tone map for communicating with each of the other stations, where the default tone map is valid for all portions of a powerline cycle. Each of the stations is further configurable to monitor its bandwidth needs and to request additional bandwidth from the central coordinator.

Abstract: There is provided a powerline network that includes a number of stations including a central coordinator for coordinating transmissions of each of the stations. The central coordinator is configurable to transmit a beacon at an interval based on a phase of a powerline cycle. The interval of the beacon can be substantially equal to two periods of the powerline cycle. The interval of the beacon includes a reserved region including a persistent allocation region and a non-persistent allocation region. The beacon also includes a broadcast message including a persistent schedule and a non-persistent schedule. The persistent schedule is valid for a current beacon period and a number of subsequent beacon periods as indicated by the beacon, while the non-persistent schedule is valid for a single beacon period. The persistent allocation region and the non-persistent allocation region are determined based on the persistent schedule and the non-persistent schedule, respectively.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided facilitating security within a network managed by a central coordinator. In some embodiments, the exchange of security keys is performed within one or more time slots that are defined by the central coordinator and known to stations exchanging these security keys. Furthermore, security, e.g., association may be initiated by one user action.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, devices, and systems that automatically provide quality of service to one or more packets, typically by determining whether packets are connection-worthy and accordingly providing connection specifications.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, devices, and systems enabling a central coordinator to manage hidden stations via a proxy central coordinator, where a hidden station is discovered based on beacons and made known to other networked devices via transmitted lists.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism to synchronize centralized networks. Each centralized network includes a central coordinator controlling and managing network activities. The embodiments provide a way of allocating beacon slots, such that one of the beacon slots is synchronized to the alternating current line cycle and thus functions as a master timing sequence. In some embodiments, methods, devices, and systems are provided for detecting transmissions of non-coordinating networks.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, devices, and systems enabling a central coordinator to manage hidden stations via a proxy central coordinator, where a hidden station is discovered based on beacons and made known to other networked devices via transmitted lists.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, devices, and systems enabling a central coordinator to manage hidden stations via a proxy central coordinator, where a hidden station is discovered based on beacons and made known to other networked devices via transmitted lists.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, devices, and systems for proximity detection with forced delays within networks providing quality of service. In some embodiments, the size of one or more contention-based access regions is modified.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for answering Home Network telephone calls. The method comprises: receiving telephone calls addressed to a Home Network endpoint; routing the received calls from a gateway to the endpoint; and, automatically recording the received call at a telephone answering device (TAD). The call can be recorded by an endpoint, the gateway, or an external line service provider facility central office or web site. Telephone calls can be addressed to an endpoint from external communication media or another endpoint. Some aspects of the method include sending notification that a message has been recorded. The gateway may initiate the notification. Alternately, the gateway may receive a request for any TAD information that may exist for an addressed endpoint, and if a message exists, the TAD creates a bridge between the TAD and a requesting entity to forward the notification.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a Home Network telephone answering device (TAD) to notify external systems of voice mail messages. The method comprises: receiving the message from a communication media; recording a voice mail message for registered Home Network endpoints; and, sending a notification of the recorded message from the TAD to a system external to the Home Network. The notification may include information such as the calling telephone number, the calling party's name, the time of the call, the addressed endpoint, and the length of the call. Some aspects of the method further comprise: converting the format of the recorded message to one that is compatible with the external system to which the notification is sent. Other aspects of the method further comprise: in response to the notification, receiving a request for the playback of the recorded message; and, supplying the recorded message.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling communications privacy in a Home Network telephone system. The method comprises: using a gateway to send and receive calls on at least one external telephone line; supplying privacy and public mode bridging options; and, selectively excluding bridges between external telephone lines and a plurality of Home Network endpoints. In response to the privacy mode being selected, the gateway bridges a call between a first external telephone line and a first endpoint, and prevents bridges between the first external telephone line and other endpoints in the system. Alternately, when the public mode is selected, the gateway bridges a call between the first external telephone line and the first endpoint; and permits bridges between the first external telephone line and other endpoints in the system. That is, while the call is bridged to the first endpoint, a bridge is added between the first telephone line and the second endpoint.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a transmitter to delay message retransmission in a noise environment, where a communications network uses a shared channel. The method comprises: transmitting a message on a shared channel, such as a ac powerline medium; failing to receive a received message acknowledgement; deciding that the transmission error is due to a noise; postponing the retransmission of the message; and, following the channel noise transmission error decision, releasing the channel for use by other transmitters. Deciding that the transmission error is due to channel noise includes: monitoring received signals; and, distinguishing between transmission collisions and noise.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a transmitter to delay message retransmission in a noise environment, where a communications network uses a shared channel. The method comprises: transmitting a message on a shared channel, such as a ac powerline medium; failing to receive a received message acknowledgement; deciding that the transmission error is due to a noise; postponing the retransmission of the message; and, following the channel noise transmission error decision, releasing the channel for use by other transmitters. Deciding that the transmission error is due to channel noise includes: monitoring received signals; and, distinguishing between transmission collisions and noise.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for answering Home Network telephone calls. The method comprises: receiving telephone calls addressed to a Home Network endpoint; routing the received calls from a gateway to the endpoint; and, automatically recording the received call at a telephone answering device (TAD). The call can be recorded by an endpoint, the gateway, or an external line service provider facility central office or web site. Telephone calls can be addressed to an endpoint from external communication media or another endpoint. Some aspects of the method include sending notification that a message has been recorded. The gateway may initiate the notification. Alternately, the gateway may receive a request for any TAD information that may exist for an addressed endpoint, and if a message exists, the TAD creates a bridge between the TAD and a requesting entity to forward the notification.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a Home Network telephone answering device (TAD) to notify external systems of voice mail messages. The method comprises: receiving the message from a communication media; recording a voice mail message for registered Home Network endpoints; and, sending a notification of the recorded message from the TAD to a system external to the Home Network. The notification may include information such as the calling telephone number, the calling party's name, the time of the call, the addressed endpoint, and the length of the call. Some aspects of the method further comprise: converting the format of the recorded message to one that is compatible with the external system to which the notification is sent. Other aspects of the method further comprise: in response to the notification, receiving a request for the playback of the recorded message; and, supplying the recorded message.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling communications privacy in a Home Network telephone system. The method comprises: using a gateway to send and receive calls on at least one external telephone line; supplying privacy and public mode bridging options; and, selectively excluding bridges between external telephone lines and a plurality of Home Network endpoints. In response to the privacy mode being selected, the gateway bridges a call between a first external telephone line and a first endpoint, and prevents bridges between the first external telephone line and other endpoints in the system. Alternately, when the public mode is selected, the gateway bridges a call between the first external telephone line and the first endpoint; and permits bridges between the first external telephone line and other endpoints in the system. That is, while the call is bridged to the first endpoint, a bridge is added between the first telephone line and the second endpoint.

Abstract: A system and method including a flexible paging protocol which adjusts the allocation of resources for paging in response to the amount of actual paging traffic, by increasing resources for paging when paging traffic is heavy and decreasing them when paging traffic is light. A base station transmits a paging packet message over a paging broadcast channel containing a set of paging messages and a next page pointer. The next page pointer identifies when the next set of paging packet message will be transmitted. A user station monitoring the paging channel receives the next page pointer, and, if not being paged, goes to sleep until the next paging packet message is due. When paging traffic is light, paging messages are sent infrequently, freeing up base station resources and allowing the user station to remain asleep longer. When paging traffic is heavy, paging messages are sent more frequently, ensuring rapid response to the pages and reducing the probability of a missed call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating a remote station within an area of a wireless communications network without using a global positioning system. Communications are established between a remote station and a plurality of base stations using separate time slots within at least one over-the-air loop. Propagation delay times associated with signals transmitted or received within the time slots are determined, and one or more possible locations of the remote station are identified based upon the determined propagation delay times.

Abstract: A method of transmission error control includes transmitting at least one frame of packet data to a receiving entity during each of a plurality of time frames, and receiving a plurality of responsive messages from the receiving entity. Each of the responsive messages identifies frames of data successfully received during a current time frame and during prior time frames. The method also includes retransmitting each of the frames of data that the responsive message does not indicate as successfully received.