Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing latency in coordinated networks are provided. The apparatus and methods relate to a protocol that may be referred to as the Persistent Reservation Request (“p-RR”), which may be viewed as a type of RR (reservation request). p-RR's may reduce latency, on average, to one MAP cycle or less. A p-RR may be used to facilitate Ethernet audiovisual bridging. Apparatus and methods of the invention may be used in connection with coaxial cable based networks that serve as a backbone for a managed network, which may interface with a package switched network.

Abstract: A premises based multimedia communication system includes a source device that produces multimedia content, a rendering device that presents the multimedia content, and a premises communication network coupling the source device to the rendering device. The system determines a bit error rate of the premises communication network, transfers the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device, and when the bit error rate exceeds a bit error rate threshold, the system at least partially disables link layer encryption of video frames of the multimedia content transfer. With the link layer operations at least partially disabled, the system can enable, at least partially, content layer encryption operations for the transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system based upon peer-to-peer communications. A wireless terminal for peer-to-peer communications acts either as a WLAN master or as a WLAN slave. When the wireless terminal acts a master, the wireless terminal undertakes mastering duties that include transmitting a beacon interval in the frame cycle. When the wireless terminal is not tethered to a power source, mastering duties alternate according to a round-robin WLAN mastering cycle, wherein the wireless terminal acts the WLAN master during at least one frame cycle and acts the WLAN slave during other frame cycles to conserve an untethered power source of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A premises based multimedia communication system includes a source device that produces multimedia content, a rendering device that presents the multimedia content, and a premises communication network coupling the source device to the rendering device. The source device receives data packets carrying the multimedia content from the remote content source via at least one remote delivery communication network and transmits at least two copies of the data packets carrying video frames of the multimedia content to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network. The rendering device decodes video frames carried by first copies of the data packets.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system based upon peer-to-peer communications. A wireless terminal for peer-to-peer communications acts either as a WLAN master or as a WLAN slave. When the wireless terminal acts a master, the wireless terminal undertakes mastering duties that include transmitting a beacon interval in the frame cycle. When the wireless terminal is not tethered to a power source, mastering duties alternate according to a round-robin WLAN mastering cycle, wherein the wireless terminal acts the WLAN master during at least one frame cycle and acts the WLAN slave during other frame cycles to conserve an untethered power source of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system based upon peer-to-peer communications. A wireless terminal for peer-to-peer communications acts either as a WLAN master or as a WLAN slave. When the wireless terminal acts a master, the wireless terminal undertakes mastering duties that include transmitting a beacon interval in the frame cycle. When the wireless terminal is not tethered to a power source, mastering duties alternate according to a round-robin WLAN mastering cycle, wherein the wireless terminal acts the WLAN master during at least one frame cycle and acts the WLAN slave during other frame cycles to conserve an untethered power source of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing latency in coordinated networks. The apparatus and methods relate to a protocol that may be referred to as the Persistent Reservation Request (“p-RR”), which may be viewed as a type of RR (reservation request). p-RR's may reduce latency, on average, to one MAP cycle or less. A p-RR may be used to facilitate Ethernet audiovisual bridging. Apparatus and methods of the invention may be used in connection with coaxial cable based networks that serve as a backbone for a managed network, which may interface with a package switched network.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system based upon peer-to-peer communications. A wireless terminal for peer-to-peer communications acts either as a WLAN master or as a WLAN slave. When the wireless terminal acts a master, the wireless terminal undertakes mastering duties that include transmitting a beacon interval in the frame cycle. When the wireless terminal is not tethered to a power source, mastering duties alternate according to a round-robin WLAN mastering cycle, wherein the wireless terminal acts the WLAN master during at least one frame cycle and acts the WLAN slave during other frame cycles to conserve an untethered power source of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A premises based multimedia communication system includes a source device that produces multimedia content, a rendering device that presents the multimedia content, and a premises communication network coupling the source device to the rendering device. The system determines a bit error rate of the premises communication network, transfers the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device, and when the bit error rate exceeds a bit error rate threshold, the system at least partially disables link layer encryption of video frames of the multimedia content transfer. With the link layer operations at least partially disabled, the system can enable, at least partially, content layer encryption operations for the transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device.

Abstract: A premises based multimedia communication system includes a source device that produces multimedia content, a rendering device that presents the multimedia content, and a premises communication network coupling the source device to the rendering device. The system certifies transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network using link layer encryption operations. After certification, the system at least partially disables the link layer encryption operations for the transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network. With the link layer operations are at least partially disabled, the system at least partially enables content layer encryption operations for the transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system in which wireless terminals each operate upon battery power. One of the wireless terminals acts as a Master to coordinate the transmission and receptions of the Slaves so as to reduce the power consumed by all of the devices. The Slaves operate according to a power up and power down sequence to conserve battery power. Further, the terminals may alternate between being Slaves and being the Master to equalize battery consumption of the wireless terminals.

Abstract: A wireless terminal serviced by a Wireless Access Point (WAP) of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure includes a processor, an RF unit and a directional antenna. The RF unit receives instructions from the WAP that are derived from participatory data based on communications involving the WAP and non-participatory data based on communications the WAP listens to, but does not participate in. The processor alters a gain vector of the directional antenna based on the instructions received from the WAP.

Abstract: A Wireless Access Point (WAP) of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure includes a processor, a radio and a directional antenna. The radio supports communications with a plurality of wireless terminals to gather participatory data, and listens to, but does not participate in transmissions of at least some of the plurality of wireless terminals to collect non-participatory WAP data. Based upon the participatory WAP data and non-participatory WAP data, the processor creates WAP operational reports and provides the WAP operational reports to the WLAN. The WLAN creates directions based thereon and directs the WAP to alter the gain pattern of the directional antenna.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a system propagating wireless home networking communication signals to a system propagating television signals over a coaxial cable system to a device capable of receiving television signals that includes a three-port adapter having an antenna port, a first coaxial cable port and a second coaxial cable port. The antenna port is coupled to the system propagating home networking communications signals. The first coaxial cable port is coupled to the system propagating television signals over a coaxial cable. The second coaxial cable port is coupled to a device capable of receiving television signals.

Abstract: A Wireless Access Point (WAP) of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure includes a processor, a radio and a directional antenna. The radio supports communications with a first plurality of wireless terminals and listens to, but does not participate in transmissions of at least some of a second plurality of wireless terminals to collect non-participatory WAP data. Based upon the non-participatory WAP data, the processor creates WAP operational reports and provides the WAPs operational reports to the WLAN. The WLAN creates directions based thereon and directs the WAP to alter the gain pattern of the directional antenna.

Abstract: A premises based multimedia communication system includes a source device that produces multimedia content, a rendering device that presents the multimedia content, and a premises communication network coupling the source device to the rendering device. The source device receives data packets carrying the multimedia content from the remote content source via at least one remote delivery communication network and transmits at least two copies of the data packets carrying video frames of the multimedia content to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network. The rendering device decodes video frames carried by first copies of the data packets.

Abstract: A premises based multimedia communication system includes a source device that produces multimedia content, a rendering device that presents the multimedia content, and a premises communication network coupling the source device to the rendering device. The system certifies transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network using link layer encryption operations. After certification, the system at least partially disables the link layer encryption operations for the transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network. With the link layer operations are at least partially disabled, the system at least partially enables content layer encryption operations for the transfer of the multimedia content from the source device to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network.

Abstract: A method for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) handshaking begins when a remote DSL transceiver transmits first signals containing even numbered carriers for a predetermined period of time to initiate the DSL handshaking to produce R-ETONES-REQ. The processing continues when the central office DSL transceiver determines alignment of a hyperframe in accordance with a TCM-ISDN TTR. The processing continues when the central office DSL transceiver transmits first response signals containing odd numbered carriers in accordance with the alignment of the hyperframe to produce C-TONES-TTR. The processing continues when the remote DSL transceiver acquires TTR synchronization in accordance with the C-TONES-TTR. The processing continues when, after acquiring TTR synchronization, the remote DSL transceiver transmits second signals containing even numbered carriers to produce R-TONE-TTR.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and a communication device that are selectively connectable to each other. A transmitter, associated with one of the communication apparatus and the communication device, transmits a first predetermined signal, such as, for example, an MS signal, to designate a specific mode to the other one of the communication apparatus and the communication device. The first predetermined signal includes an identification field that stores modulation independent information and a standard information field that stores modulation dependent information. A receiver receives a second predetermined signal, such as, for example, an ACK signal or a NACK signal, in response to the first predetermined signal from the other one of the communication apparatus and the communication device.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) processing component includes a network interface and a processor. The network interface interfaces the WLAN processing component to a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) of the WLAN, at least some of the plurality of WAPs having directional antennas. The WLAN processing component directs the plurality of WAPs to perform a plurality of beaconing operations, each of the beaconing operations corresponding to a respective WAP of the plurality of WAPs such that during the beaconing operation the respective WAP transmits a substantially constant power beacon. During the beaconing operations, the WLAN processing component directs non-beaconing WAPs having directional antennas to listen for the transmitted beacon, direct an approximate maximum gain vector of the directional antenna toward the transmitted beacon, determine a relative angular position of the approximate maximum gain vector, and measure a received strength of the transmitted beacon.