Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for graphically presenting information representative of the operation of a communication system to a user monitoring the performance of the system. The method comprises the steps of simultaneously displaying information representative of the operation of the system at a plurality of test points to the user. For each of the test points, information representative of the operation of the system at a plurality of different bandwidths is simultaneously presented to the user during the displaying step. For each bandwidth associated with a given test point, a graphical image representative of the operation of the system at the given test point is presented to the user simultaneously during the displaying step.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for testing telephone system operation. The method comprising connecting a call agent simulator to a network. Call actions or events are applied from the call agent simulator to the network expected to produce expected results in the network. The telephone system operation is verified by comparing the actual results produced to the expected results. In another aspect, an IP network or a consumer premises equipment is verified using the call agent simulator. In another aspect, the telephone system is a Voice over Internet (VoIP) system.

Abstract: Consumer premises equipment (CPE) configured to be connected with one of a selectable plurality of call agents using one of a selectable plurality of call control languages in response to user input to the telephone. In one aspect, telephone users can therefore select, e.g., a service provider. In another aspect, the CPE provides VoIP service to a telephone.

Abstract: An optical amplifier (200) splits an optical signal into two signals (210, 212). A first amplifier section (202) receives the first signal (210). The first amplifier section (202) includes a first optical fiber (220), having a first input, for generating a first output power (230), and a first pump source (222) is coupled to the first input, for supplying a first energy amount to the first optical fiber (220). The optical amplifier (200) also includes a second amplifier section (204) to receive the second signal (212), which is arranged in parallel to, and under common control with, the first amplifier section (202). The second amplifier section (204) includes a second optical fiber (240), having a second input, for generating a second output power (250), and a second pump source (232) is coupled to the second input, for supplying a second energy amount to the second optical fiber (240). A total power (280) of the first output power (230) and the second output power (250) is at least about 600 mill Watts.

Abstract: A method of, and means for accomplishing the method, optimizing system resources in a network (102) using packetized voice telephony consists of the following steps: determining (302) that a packetized voice call from an originating gateway (104) terminates at a non-human voice interface system (108), wherein the packetized voice call is assigned a specified high priority level; and transmitting (304) signaling to cause the originating gateway (104) to transmit the packetized voice call to the non-human voice interface system (108) at a lower priority than the specified high priority level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using voice commands to invoke the self diagnostics mode of operation of a broadband network device used in a broadband communication network implemented with VOIP, such as a communication gateway. The user can interface interactively with the self diagnostic module of the device through voice commands or through touch-tone data entry, and the results of the diagnosis are reported back to the user in voice format.

Abstract: The depth of modulation and the absolute RF carrier level of an amplitude-modulated video signal are automatically adjusted. For adjustment of the depth of modulation, a sync tip of the video signal is sampled, corrected and normalized to a reference level, e.g., a 50% video level. A reference pulse is inserted into the video signal, e.g., in a sync pulse or in lines 22 and/or 23 of the vertical blanking interval. The reference pulse is sampled and compared to the normalized sync tip pulse to determine an error. The error is converted to an adjustment signal for a charge pump which increases or decreases the depth of modulation accordingly. For adjustment of the absolute carrier level, the insertion of a reference pulse is not required. Instead, a reference value is stored in a memory and retrieved for comparison with the corrected sync tip pulse. An error term is computed and converted to an adjustment signal for a charge pump which increases or decreases the absolute carrier level accordingly.

Abstract: The invention provides a chassis for housing printed circuit boards comprising: a housing having a top, bottom, front, back, left and right side walls, and having a height, measured from the bottom wall to the top wall, that is equal to a 1 rack-unit. The front wall includes an inlet vent, a display module, and a jack and the back side wall includes an exhaust vent. A front wall face plate overlies the inlet vent, display module and jack, with the inlet vent arranged in parallel, overlapping but offset planes. A centrifugal blower is provided inside the chassis housing.

Abstract: An optical transmitter is provided that includes a laser subassembly generating an optical signal having a plurality of operating characteristics. A controller, which drives the laser subassembly by applying at least one control parameter thereto, includes a predetermined, empirically derived database relating the plurality of operating characteristics of the laser subassembly to the control parameters. The controller adjusts at least one control parameter based at least in part on data extracted from the database so that the operating characteristic is substantially optimized.

Abstract: A method and/or device that may be used in locations where equipotential bonding is not practiced can be installed on a customer premises equipment device basis that provides over-voltage protection between the AC main and HFC ground planes. According to one aspect of the present invention, a bonding link is established between the AC main and the HFC coaxial braid that allows energy surges to bypass the CPE equipment and to be passed on to the AC mains, which are traditionally more equipped to deal with these large energy surges. According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed that may be incorporated into any premises powered HFC CPE device for protection. The apparatus provides a surge energy bypass path around the CPE device being protected and allow voltage differentials to be normalized between systems.