Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining the maximum achievable data rate on a DSL line, up to and including a rate to which a user subscribes is described. Performance monitoring is conducted on the DSL line on an ongoing basis to determine noise margins in each direction. Each noise margin is compared against pre-determined decreasing/increasing thresholds to determine whether the line characteristics dictate a data rate change without loss of synchronization. The invention supports dynamic provisioning changes including application driven service level change requests, e.g., new bandwidth-on demand services. In some embodiments, a combination of existing and new embedded operations channel (EOC) messages are used to implement the modem data rate changes. New EOC messages may be implemented using some of the reserved and/or vendor proprietary Opcodes currently permitted. Modem assigned data rate changes are implemented without a disruption of service, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining the maximum achievable data rate on a DSL line, up to and including a rate to which a user subscribes is described. Performance monitoring is conducted on the DSL line on an ongoing basis to determine noise margins in each direction. Each noise margin is compared against pre-determined decreasing/increasing thresholds to determine whether the line characteristics dictate a data rate change without loss of synchronization. The invention supports dynamic provisioning changes including application driven service level change requests, e.g., new bandwidth-on demand services. In some embodiments, a combination of existing and new embedded operations channel (EOC) messages are used to implement the modem data rate changes. New EOC messages may be implemented using some of the reserved and/or vendor proprietary Opcodes currently permitted. Modem assigned data rate changes are implemented without a disruption of service, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining the maximum achievable data rate on a DSL line, up to and including a rate to which a user subscribes is described. Performance monitoring is conducted on the DSL line on an ongoing basis to determine noise margins in each direction. Each noise margin is compared against pre-determined decreasing/increasing thresholds to determine whether the line characteristics dictate a data rate change without loss of synchronization. The invention supports dynamic provisioning changes including application driven service level change requests, e.g., new bandwidth-on demand services. In some embodiments, a combination of existing and new embedded operations channel (EOC) messages are used to implement the modem data rate changes. New EOC messages may be implemented using some of the reserved and/or vendor proprietary Opcodes currently permitted. Modem assigned data rate changes are implemented without a disruption of service, e.g.

Abstract: A system is provided for connecting an alarm system to a monitoring center through a fiber optic network. The alarm signals may be transmitted through the electrical wiring within a house or other facility through a fiber optic network and the PSTN and/or Internet to the monitoring center. The connection may include a reverse polarity in a pair of ring and tip lines between an interface device of the fiber optic network and a junction element of the alarm system or between the junction element and a controller of the alarm system. The reverse polarity may be created by connecting an end of a ring line into a tip adapter and connecting an end of a tip line into a ring adapter.

Abstract: A system is provided for connecting an alarm system to a monitoring center through a fiber optic network. The alarm signals may be transmitted through the electrical wiring within a house or other facility through a fiber optic network and the PSTN and/or Internet to the monitoring center. The connection may include a reverse polarity in a pair of ring and tip lines between an interface device of the fiber optic network and a junction element of the alarm system or between the junction element and a controller of the alarm system. The reverse polarity may be created by connecting an end of a ring line into a tip adapter and connecting an end of a tip line into a ring adapter.

Abstract: A multi-mode telephone, e.g., an enhanced cell phone, includes a battery powered telephone module and a POTS telephone module. The phone includes a telephone jack for coupling the phone to a landline. When connected through the landline, the phone includes a mode of operation in which the phone can be operated without any external AC power source and without using internal battery power, the power used being supplied via the POTS landline. The multi-mode phone may function as a lifeline in times of emergency, e.g., during power failures when cell phone calls cannot be completed. Other modes of operation include an enhanced landline mode using the phone's battery power to provide enhanced features such as, e.g., caller ID. If battery power is depleted in the enhanced landline mode, the phone reverts to a standard POTS phone, e.g., during an in progress call, requiring no battery power for continued operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining the maximum achievable data rate on a DSL line, up to and including a rate to which a user subscribes is described. Performance monitoring is conducted on the DSL line on an ongoing basis to determine noise margins in each direction. Each noise margin is compared against pre-determined decreasing/increasing thresholds to determine whether the line characteristics dictate a data rate change without loss of synchronization. The invention supports dynamic provisioning changes including application driven service level change requests, e.g., new bandwidth-on demand services. In some embodiments, a combination of existing and new embedded operations channel (EOC) messages are used to implement the modem data rate changes. New EOC messages may be implemented using some of the reserved and/or vendor proprietary Opcodes currently permitted. Modem assigned data rate changes are implemented without a disruption of service, e.g.