Abstract: Customer premise equipment provides a communication gateway with a network of a service provider and includes a multimedia terminal device for installation on the customer's premises typically at an out-of-the-way location. The multimedia terminal device includes a modem having an embedded media terminal adaptor and an integrated telephone base station, for instance, to provide both Internet connectivity and Voice-over-Internet-Protocol telephone service to the customer premises. A portable cordless telephone handset communicates via wireless communication signals with the telephone base station thereby providing telephone service to the premises. The handset is also capable of transmitting commands to the telephone base station for purposes of providing a user interface for the components of the multimedia terminal device.

Abstract: The present invention is an upstream power control system, within a cable modem which controls the power consumption of the cable modem. The power control system comprises a MAC chip which synchronizes upstream communication signals for transmission to a cable network and outputs an upstream control signal, an upstream amplifier which receives the synchronized upstream communication signals, and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The CPLD controls the upstream amplifier in response to the upstream control signal such that the upstream amplifier is powered on during transmission of the communication signals, and powered off when not transmitting, which results in the reduction of power consumed by the cable modem.

Abstract: Customer premise equipment provides a communication gateway with a network of a service provider and includes a multimedia terminal device for installation on the customer's premises typically at an out-of-the-way location. The multimedia terminal device includes a modem having an embedded media terminal adaptor and an integrated telephone base station, for instance, to provide both Internet connectivity and Voice-over-Internet-Protocol telephone service to the customer premises. A portable cordless telephone handset communicates via wireless communication signals with the telephone base station thereby providing telephone service to the premises. The handset is also capable of transmitting commands to the telephone base station for purposes of providing a user interface for the components of the multimedia terminal device.

Abstract: A residential gateway provides packet-switched telephony service over a broadband communications network. The gateway includes data terminal equipment having an interface for communicating with customer premises equipment. The gateway also includes a self-installation agent for generating signals that are rendered as audio prompts that guide a user through a process for installing the residential gateway so that packet-switched telephony services are available to the user through the customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for allowing a recipient to reply to an inbound message. The method begins by receiving a message from a sender using a first communication service. The message includes a first contact identifier for the sender. A plurality of user-selectable contact identifiers is presented to the recipient for communicating with the sender using a plurality of different communication services associated therewith. A selected one of the plurality of contact identifiers other than the first contact identifier is selected or otherwise identified by the recipient. A second message is transmitted to the sender using the selected contact identifier and the communication service associated therewith.

Abstract: A method (400) and system for illuminating a display screen (106) of a handheld electronic device (100) is disclosed. The system includes a transparent display screen cover (104), which is movably coupled to a housing (102) of the handheld electronic device. Further, the system includes at least one switch (206). The at least one switch is actuated in response to a user contacting the transparent display screen cover. The system also includes a control circuit (204), which causes the illumination of the display screen, in response to the activation of the at least one switch.

Abstract: A remote unit comprises a camera, which may be controlled with input received from a local unit. The input may include the selection of a focus point, which the remote camera may use to lock onto the focus point. The remote camera may atomically track movement of the focus point and transmit captured images of the focus point.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a sensor arrangement for monitoring first and second adjacent members that are displaceable with respect to one another, The sensor includes a magnet securable to the first adjacent member and an analog magnetic transducer securable to the second adjacent member in sufficient proximity of the permanent magnet to sense a magnetic field therefrom. An analog subsystem supplies electrical power to the magnetic transducer and receives an electrical signal generated by the transducer in response to a change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic transducer. The analog subsystem including a comparator for comparing the detected change in the magnetic field to a predefined threshold change in magnetic field and an electronic memory for storing the predefined threshold change in magnetic field.

Abstract: A smart connector is provided by a jack that is removably engagable with a respective mateable plug to establish a power path between an external power supply and a circuit in an electronic device when the jack and mateable plug are mateably engaged. In an illustrative example, the jack functions as the DC power jack for the electronic device and the mateable plug is disposed in the power adapter plug of an AC-DC power adapter. A voltage sensor coupled to the jack compares the voltage supplied by the power supply against a reference that defines a power level that will operate the electronic device without causing damage. A power controller, coupled to the voltage sensor, controls the flow of power to the circuit in response to a control signal generated by the voltage sensor. In various illustrative embodiments, the power controller includes current limiting, voltage clamping and/or switching functions.

Abstract: A broadband terminal interface unit for use in an HFC communication network includes a phase-locked loop for providing a smooth transition between a CMTS-provided “national” clock and a local clock when the CMTS clock is lost (or before it is required). By controlling the tracking range of the PLL, the sensitivity of the circuit is controlled so that some drift in the national clock can be accommodated without unnecessarily reducing the performance of the components within the broadband terminal interface unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring network connectivity between a home network device (100) and a network (102, 104) is described. In one example, status of a network connection on a physical data link (116, 120) between the home network device (100) and the network (102, 104) is determined. A visual indicator (114, 130) is then generated at the home network device (100) indicative of the status of the network connection.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling multiple telephone lines terminating in a single residence uses a multiplexer within a communications gateway and a plurality of demultiplexers, each demultiplexer coupled to a separate one of telephone lines. The communications gateway functions to convert all received analog telephony signals into a digital format and then multiplexes the digital signals onto a single telephone line connected to the residence. The various telephone lines in the residence are connected in series along the line, using a number of drop-off points. The demultiplexer on each telephone line is configured to recognize the time slots within the multiplexed signal destined for its associated telecommunications device. In a similar fashion, separate time slots are assigned for upstream transmission from each telecommunication device into the HFC network.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption of a communications interface between a network and a processor, a method for controlling the interface monitors data traffic from sides of the interface. Upon detecting a predetermined period of no data traffic on both sides, the method disables an auto-negotiation mode of the interface and forces the interface to operate at its lowest speed. Prior to changing speed, the method may briefly remove a link signal or electrically isolate the network and the network interface to allow a peer to adapt to a new speed. When in the low speed mode, the method monitors data on both the processor side and the network side. Upon detecting a predetermined and configurable amount of data, the method enables the auto-negotiate mode. Prior to increasing the speed, the method may briefly remove a link signal to allow a peer to adapt to the new speed. Hysteresis may be included to prevent a speed change if a predetermined period has not occurred since a last speed change.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption of a communications interface between a network and a processor, a method for controlling the interface monitors data traffic from sides of the interface. Upon detecting a predetermined period of no data traffic on both sides, the method disables an auto-negotiation mode of the interface and forces the interface to operate at its lowest speed. Prior to changing speed, the method may briefly remove a link signal or electrically isolate the network and the network interface to allow a peer to adapt to a new speed. When in the low speed mode, the method monitors data on both the processor side and the network side. Upon detecting a predetermined and configurable amount of data, the method enables the auto-negotiate mode. Prior to increasing the speed, the method may briefly remove a link signal to allow a peer to adapt to the new speed. Hysteresis may be included to prevent a speed change if a predetermined period has not occurred since a last speed change.

Abstract: A broadband terminal interface unit for use in an HFC communication network includes a phase-locked loop for providing a smooth transition between a CMTS-provided “national” clock and a local clock when the CMTS clock is lost (or before it is required). By controlling the tracking range of the PLL, the sensitivity of the circuit is controlled so that some drift in the national clock can be accommodated without unnecessarily reducing the performance of the components within the broadband terminal interface unit.

Abstract: The present invention is an upstream power control system, within a cable modem which controls the power consumption of the cable modem. The power control system comprises a MAC chip which synchronizes upstream communication signals for transmission to a cable network and outputs an upstream control signal, an upstream amplifier which receives the synchronized upstream communication signals, and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The CPLD controls the upstream amplifier in response to the upstream control signal such that the upstream amplifier is powered on during transmission of the communication signals, and powered off when not transmitting, which results in the reduction of power consumed by the cable modem.