Abstract: A Name Registrar (NaR) system and method incorporating a separate software component that permits manipulation, control, and distribution of names/objects under direction of a distributed naming policy is disclosed. The present invention teaches creation of a separate software component to handle name registration running within a separate software process. This separate software process has a remote interface utilized by a software application to send information related to names/objects in their most basic form to the Name Registrar (NaR). Subsequently, the NaR performs all other functions that are necessary to publish the supplied name/object in the proper form and type required by the accessing system consumers.

Abstract: A system, a web host site and method are described that are capable of enabling a creator of a web page to control the activation of a hyperlink to another web page by screening a user for comprehension of certain information before allowing that user to hyperlink to another web page. Basically, the method includes the steps of creating a web page that includes a permission dialog box and enabling a user and personal computer to fetch the created web page. The personal computer then displays the web page in a manner such that if the user selects a hypertext link on the web page then the personal computer displays the permission dialog box. The permission dialog box screens the user to make sure that the user comprehends information displayed on the web page or in the permission dialog box before retrieving a target web page associated with the selected hypertext link.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device for cleaning a ferrule end surface of an optical or fiberoptic connector is described. The device includes a cleaning rod, a drive mechanism, and a cleaning media, such as a swab, a brush, a pad, or a foam, connected to an end of the cleaning rod and having a thickness past the end of the cleaning rod of at least about 0.125 inches. A mating connector housing the cleaning rod may be provided for connecting with the optical connector. The drive mechanism may be housed in a handheld body or may be mounted on a dummy card connector physically compatible with a slot in a card-cage. The dummy card connector may include an adjustable frame which can be adjusted to modify card size in order for the same dummy card connector to be physically compatible with more than one physical slot configuration.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a communication system including a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) capable of facilitating PVR functionality for a video file transmitted toward a subscriber data processing system via the DSLAM. In accordance with such a communication system, a DSLAM line card is coupled to a service provider managed (SPM) file storage module and to a personal video recorder (PVR) card. The SPM file storage module has a video file stored thereon. The DSLAM line card is capable of providing multiplexing functionality for a plurality of digital subscriber lines and is capable of enabling the video file to be transmitted for reception by a subscriber data processing system from the SPM file storage module.

Abstract: Various aspects of apparatuses and methods for enabling a subscriber premise network interface device (NID) to facilitate communication services including digitally derived voice services to be facilitated between a central office and a subscriber premise are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosures herein, such a method includes facilitating a downstream DSL voice channel transmission process at a subscriber premise Network Interface Device (NID) and facilitating an upstream DSL voice channel transmission process at the subscriber premise NID. The downstream DSL voice channel transmission process facilitates converting a voice component of a downstream DSL data stream to a corresponding downstream analog voice signal. The upstream DSL voice channel transmission process facilitates converting an upstream analog voice signal to an upstream voice component of an upstream DSL data stream.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating a multicast group switch via a single Internet Group Management Protocol message. In accordance with such method, an operation for receiving an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) Membership Report message designating a request for altering a present membership status with respect to designated multicast information. The IGMP message is transmitted from a requesting system. An operation is performed for determining a membership action associated with the IGMP Membership Report message. In response to determining the membership action, an operation is performed for preparing a membership acknowledge message. The membership acknowledgment message designates a resulting membership status associated with the request for altering the present membership status. An operation is then performed for transmitting the membership acknowledge message for reception by the requesting system.

Abstract: A cable holder is described that includes a connector holder that is configured to receive several cable connectors each of which are attached to a cable. The cable holder also includes one or more latch bars that are connected to the connector holder and configured to enable a user to interact with each latch bar so as to depress a tab on each of the cable connectors which enables the user to insert at the same time all of the cable connectors into a connector. Thereafter, the user can interact with each latch bar so as to depress a tab on each of the cable connectors which enables the user to remove at the same time all of the cable connectors from the connector.

Abstract: An electronic device is described which can be used by a user to unlock a locked password protected electronic device (e.g., PDA, wireless phone, laptop computer, personal computer . . . ). To unlock the locked password protected electronic device, the user activates the electronic device to wirelessly transmit a password (e.g., electronic key) towards the locked password protected electronic device. The locked password protected electronic device uses the received password to unlock itself so that the user does not have to remember the password and also does not have to physically input the password into the locked password protected electronic device in order to unlock and use the password protected electronic device. The electronic device can also be used by the user to lock an unlocked password protected electronic device. Moreover, the electronic device can be incorporated within an article that the user generally has in his/her possession including a ring or a watch.

Abstract: Various aspects of apparatuses and methods for enabling a network interface device (NID) at a customer premises to be remotely provisioned are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosures herein, method for enabling a NID at a subscriber premise to be remotely provisioned includes an operation for transmitting a control command to a command processor of the remotely provisionable NID from a central office communication apparatus. After performing the operation for transmitting the control command to a command processor of the remotely provisionable NID, the command processor performs an operation for receiving the control command. An operation is performed for determining a requested control state associated with the control command. The operation for determining the control function is at least partially facilitated by the command processor.

Abstract: A cable holder is described that includes a connector holder that is configured to receive several cable connectors each of which are attached to a cable. The cable holder also includes one or more latch bars that are connected to the connector holder and configured to enable a user to interact with each latch bar so as to depress a tab on each of the cable connectors which enables the user to insert at the same time all of the cable connectors into a connector. Thereafter, the user can interact with each latch bar so as to depress a tab on each of the cable connectors which enables the user to remove at the same time all of the cable connectors from the connector.

Abstract: A chip is described that incorporates a distributed bus architecture which enable packets of data to be communicated between multiple source/destination nodes. The chip can be designed such that each source/destination node monitors a connecting path (e.g., bus) for receipt of a packet of data. And, upon receiving a packet of data at one of the source/destination nodes, that source/destination node then determines whether the packet of data is addressed to that node. If the packet of data is addressed to that source/destination node, then that node takes the data from the packet of data. Otherwise, if the packet of data is not addressed to that source/destination node, then that node transmits the packet of data on the connecting path to a neighboring source/destination node. The source/destination nodes can also insert data into a packet of data addressed to another source/destination node. Also described are methods for making and using the chip.

Abstract: A method for facilitating inverse multiplexing over asynchronous transfer mode is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a stream of sequentially aligned ATM cells via an originating end point logical communication link. A sequence identifier is associated with each one of the ATM for creating sequence identified ATM cells. The sequence identified ATM cells are forwarded to an destination endpoint logical communication link in a distributed manner over a plurality of IM communication links. A first one of said IM communication links has disparate data transmission rates in at least one data transmission direction with respect to a second one of the IM communication links.

Abstract: A method for facilitating multicasting of a file to a plurality of end users is disclosed herein. The method includes an operation for multicasting control service information for reception by a plurality of end user download devices and an operation for receiving a plurality of requests for reception of offered content designated in the control service information. The requests are received from a group of the end user download devices. In response to receiving in the requests, an operation is performed for multicasting the offered content for reception by each one of said end user download devices in the group. A multicast-capable distribution network facilitates multicasting of the control service information, facilitates receiving the requests for reception and facilitates multicasting the offered content.

Abstract: A method for facilitating inverse multiplexing over asynchronous transfer mode is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a stream of sequentially aligned ATM cells via an originating end point logical communication link. A sequence identifier is associated with each one of the ATM cells for creating sequence-identified ATM cells. The sequence-identified ATM cells are forwarded to a destination endpoint logical communication link in a distributed manner over a plurality of IM communication links. A first one of said IM communication links has disparate data transmission rates in at least one data transmission direction with respect to a second one of the IM communication links.

Abstract: An apparatus and system is provided for coupling an ethernet switch to communication link(s) in a communication network without requiring the disconnection and reconnection of the communication link(s). A module is configured to accommodate components of an ethernet switch, and can be modularly introduced into a communication rack and quickly engaged with rack-mounted mating connectors which are coupled to the communication link(s).

Abstract: One embodiment of a shielded cable assembly as disclosed herein includes a connector body including a wire attachment region. A contact member, including a wire attachment portion, is mounted on the connector body with the wire attachment portion positioned adjacent to the wire attachment region of the connector body. An insulating insert, including a wire-receiving region, is positioned adjacent to the connector body with at least a portion of the wire attachment region of the connector body extending into the wire-receiving region. A wire of a cable extends into the wire-receiving region of the insulating insert and is electrically connected to the wire attachment portion of the contact member. A shielding body, including an insert-receiving region, has at least a portion of the insulating insert positioned in the insert-receiving region. An insulating cover covers at least a portion of the shielding body.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data is provided. The method includes receiving a service request for a standby subscriber terminal, such as when a call is placed to or from the standby subscriber terminal. The number of telecommunications channels carried by a trunk group is then changed, such as by increasing or decreasing the number of encoded telecommunications channels carried by the trunk group. The standby subscriber terminal is then assigned to one of the telecommunications channels of the trunk group.