Abstract: Described herein is a policy-based Internet Protocol (IP) network wherein the Quality of Service (QoS) provisioning across various network devices is managed by policy processing via a user interface including a graphic user interface. The user interface incorporates information made available by a server, such as lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) server, having a repository, and thereby allows for a consistent set up voice-over IP devices, video devices and network data devices with minimal entries by the user. Further, the user interfaces allows for efficient policy creation and editing.

Abstract: A programmable packet switching controller has a packet buffer, a programmable packet classification engine and an application engine. The packet buffer stores inbound packets, and includes a header data extractor to extract header data from the inbound packets and store the extracted header data in a header data cache. The header data extractor also generates a header data cache index and provides it to the packet classification engine for it to retrieve the extracted header data. The application engine has a number of programmable sub-engines arrayed in a pipelined architecture. The packet classification engine provides start indicators based on the packet classification to the programmable sub-engines to identify application programs to be executed.

Abstract: A service node authenticates a service provider network to which it is connected. When the service node is connected between subscriber devices and a network node of the service provider network, the service node issues an authentication request to the network node. The network node responds to the authentication request by transmitting a reply. The service node receives the reply and determines if it indicates the service provider network to which the service node is connected is authentic. These authentication communications can conform to a standard authentication protocol, such as Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). If the reply indicates the service provider network is authentic, the service node permits communication between the subscriber devices and the service provider network. If the reply indicates the service provider network is not authentic, the service node blocks such communication.

Abstract: A method is described for transmitting information in a communication channel of a wireless communication system in which the communication channel is divided into a plurality of time slots of equal duration and each of the time slots is further sub-divided into multiple sub-slots or resource units. In one illustrative embodiment, the communication channel is divided into time slots according to a time division multiple access scheme. Each time slot is then further code-multiplexed into one or more sub-slots according to a code division multiple access scheme. Each of the sub-slots is therefore capable of carrying a separately coded transmission within the communication channel so that multiple simultaneous transmissions can occur in any given time slot.

Abstract: A method for inter-RAT idle handoff is provided by transmitting a handoff initiation signal from a cell associated with a carrier for a first Radio Access Technology (RAT) area, the cell being located in an overlap coverage area with a second RAT area and adjacent to the second RAT area. Spatial hysteresis is provided by the new triggering method to eliminate the ping-pong issue when a mobile move along the border area. The invention also reduces network resource consumption due to ping-ponging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of signaling hopping locations selected by a scheduling entity using a frequency hopping pattern indicator for indicating hopping locations for at least two re-transmissions. The frequency hopping pattern is selected by the scheduling entity which may have knowledge of all or at least a plurality of scheduled reverse link transmissions or restrictions upon reverse link transmissions, thereby allowing reverse link re-transmissions to be scheduled in a manner compatible with other reverse link transmissions and restrictions. Overall signaling overhead associated with scheduling re-transmissions is reduced through the signaling of a single message which indicates hopping locations for at least two re-transmissions instead of two or more separate messages, wherein each of the two or more separate message indicates a hopping location for an individual re-transmission.

Abstract: The path selection and wavelength assignment to a selected path are performed by mapping the wavelength reach to the demand distribution (agile reach) resulting in a 50-60% increase in the network reach. The network reach is further increased (about 2.2 times) when on-line measured performance data are used for path selection and wavelength assignment. The connections may be engineered/upgraded individually, by optimizing the parameters of the entire path or of a regenerator section of the respective path. The upgrades include changing the wavelength, adjusting the parameters of the regenerator section, controlling the launch powers, mapping a certain transmitter and/or receiver to the respective wavelength, selecting the wavelengths on a certain link so as to reduce cross-talk, increasing wavelength spacing, etc.

Abstract: Unique identifiers are assigned to sets of adjacent access points in a wireless, local area network (WLAN). Thereafter, a unique identifier may be forwarded to a mobile device which uses the identifier to associate itself with one of the adjacent access points. Associating a mobile device with an adjacent access point using unique identifiers allows a WLAN to meet its load balancing objectives.

Abstract: The features and settings of wireless devices, such as cellular and cordless telephones, can be configured through the use of a user friendly web page, website, e-mail menu or the like. After a user has identified a wireless device or devices to configure, she then selects the features and settings she desires. The selected settings are then transmitted to the identified wireless device or devices. In this manner, wireless devices can be remotely configured and there is no need to repeat identical steps to configure multiple devices with the same configuration.

Abstract: In a wireless communications system which hops from frequency to frequency, rather than hopping according to a fixed dwell interval and a pre-determined pseudo-random hop sequence, a quality-based frequency hopping methodology is defined in which a new frequency is hopped to when the channel quality on the current frequency degrades based on the measured value or values of one or more predetermined metrics that are associated with channel quality. When triggered to hop to a next frequency, the hop-to-frequency may be the next frequency in the pseudo-random hop sequence known to both the transmitter and receiver or, in order to improve the reliability of communications, may be determined based on channel quality measurements on different potential hop-to-frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communications networks, and more particularly to packet switching and routing devices used in communication networks that provide efficient multicast services. The invention provides methods and systems for switching and routing of multicast data packets in two stages. In particular, in the first stage a received multicast data packet is in an internal multicast operation by an ingress line card across a switching fabric to a plurality of egress line cards through which multicast destinations of the packet are reachable. In a second stage each egress line card further replicates the data packet to the actual transmission links across which the multicast group are reachable. This invention also includes system performing this method. The invention reduces the service time for the multicast packets making it the same as for the unicast packets, and provides for better system throughput in comparison to traditional systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing distributed, adaptive IP filtering techniques used in detecting and blocking IP packets involved in DDOS attacks through the use of Bloom Filters and leaky-bucket concepts to identify “attack” flows. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a device tracks certain criteria of all IP packets traveling from IP sources outside a security perimeter to network devices within the security perimeter. The present invention examines the criteria and places them in different classifications in a uniformly random manner, estimates the amount of criteria normally received and then determines when a group of stored classifications is too excessive to be considered normal for a given period of time. After the device determines the criteria that excessive IP packets have in common, the device then determines rules to identify the packets that meet such criteria and filters or blocks so identified packets.

Abstract: The network operating system includes an embedded platform for controlling operation of an agile optical network at the physical layer level. At the module embedded level, each module (card-pack) is provided with an embedded controller EC that monitors and control operation of the optical modules. At the next level, each shelf is provided with a shelf processor SP that monitors and control operation of the ECs over a backplane network. All optical modules are connected over an optical trace channel to send/receive trace messages that can then be used to determine network connectivity. At the next, link management level, a network services controller NSC controls the SPs in a negotiated span of control, over a link network. The control is address-based; each NSC receives ranges of addresses for the entities in its control, and distributes these addresses to the SPs, which in turn distribute addresses to the ECs in their control.

Abstract: An access node (e.g., DSLAM, OLT/ONT) is described herein that implements a trust verification method comprising the steps of: (a) filtering an up-stream message initiated by a non-trusted device (e.g., CPE); (b) intercepting the filtered up-stream message if the filtered up-stream message is a connectivity fault management message (e.g., LB message, LBR message, CC message); (c) inserting a trusted identification into the intercepted up-stream message; and (d) outputting the intercepted up-stream message with the inserted trusted identification. Thereafter, a trusted device (e.g., BRAS) receives and analyzes the outputted up-stream message with the inserted trusted identification message to ascertain a trustworthiness of the non-trusted device (e.g., CPE). Several different ways that an access network (e.g., IPTV network) can implement the trust verification method are also described herein.

Abstract: Enhanced estimation of the noise component of a signal is accomplished by using a plurality of filters. Each filter provides an estimate of a minimum sample in a sample set that includes a plurality of signal samples. A comparator, coupled to the plurality of filters, successively compares the estimates among the plurality of filters, and selects the signal estimate having the lowest magnitude. The selected signal estimate represents an enhanced estimate of the noise component of the signal.

Abstract: A user accesses the Internet through a hybrid data communications system architecture in which upstream service is provided via the local loop of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and downstream service is provided via a cable television (CATV) network. The Cable Modem Data Termination system (CMTS) includes a routing table. Upon detection of a CATV service interruption, the CMTS re-routes IP traffic destined for a destination IP address (IP1) associated with the user to a different IP address, or endpoint, as a function of the routing table. In this instance, the different IP address is associated with equipment that provides downstream IP service to the user via the local loop of the PSTN.

Abstract: The number of directional antennas and associated radios needed to ensure a nomadic wireless mesh network (NWMN) remains operational in the event of node or link failures, while minimizing delay and other unwanted effects, may be determined using novel methods and devices. Such a determination may reduce the number of antennas and radios a service or network provider normally uses, thus reducing its costs.

Abstract: To help young children and other individuals learn music while playing and having fun, a novel card or device is presented that includes, on a first side, an image of a musical note on its surface, and on a second side an image of at least a portion of a musical instrument on its surface, the portion indicating a location on the instrument responsible for creating an audible sound associated with the musical note on the first side.

Abstract: A network management system and a method are described herein that determine if one or more devices (e.g., consumer premises equipment(s)) are experiencing an unacceptable packet loss for downstream multicast traffic in an access network. In one embodiment, the network management system performs the following operations: (1) cause a trigger probe to be sent to the one or more devices, where each trigger probe contains information which causes the corresponding device to start a packet loss measurement; and (2) receive an unacceptable loss measurement message from one of the devices if that one device experienced packet losses over a certain period of time that exceeded a predetermined threshold which would be an indication that the one end device is experiencing an unacceptable packet loss.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a plurality of audio sources and switching from one to another of the audio sources in accordance with a stored program. An audio output device receives a signal from each of the portable electronic devices and selectively switches the contents of its output according to at least one preprogrammed user preference. The audio output device also automatically communicates with transceiver modules connected to local information systems, for example within a vehicle, office or shopping center. Based on programs stored in a storage device connected to the headset, the local information sources may be monitored and selected to interrupt other audio sources received by the headset when desired.