Abstract: Disclosed are methods, computer program products, apparatus, and systems for sending and receiving uniform serial bus (“USB”) messages between a host computer and a USB device over a data network, using a USB server in communication with the data network and the host computer, and a USB client in communication with the data network and the USB device. An association is established between the USB server and the USB client. The USB server receives a first USB message from the host computer. The first USB message is translated to a format suitable for sending over the data network, and sent as a first network message from the USB server to the USB client over the data network. The USB server receives a second network message from the USB client over the data network, and translates the second network message to a USB format. At the USB server, the translated second network message is provided as a second USB message for the host computer.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for synchronizing NAT information stored on different network devices that have been configured to implement a network address translation protocol. Each of the network devices includes a respective NAT data structure configured to store NAT information. The NAT information includes at least one NAT entry relating to a network node engaged in a communication session with at least one other network node. At least one NAT entry in a first NAT data structure is modified. The first NAT data structure is associated with a first NAT network device. A first NAT transaction message is generated which includes information relating to the modifications performed on the first NAT data structure. The first NAT transaction message is transmitted to at least one other NAT network device to thereby cause that device to modify its respective NAT data structure using information from the first NAT transaction message.

Abstract: A communication device such as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway multiplexes data intended for multiple voice connections within a single IP packet. If it is known in advance that packets for multiple connections between a given Originating Exchange (OEX) and Terminating Exchange (TEX) will travel between the Originating Gateway and Terminating Gateway, voice samples are multiplexed into the same VoIP packet. This “cell multiplexing” is accomplished by adding a cell header field to each cell payload portion. The cell header field indicates at least a connection identifier, so that the terminating gateway can route the payload to the correct TEX trunk. The scheme permits greatly improved efficiency in the carrying of VoIP traffic, especially where efficient voice coders are used.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, computer program products, apparatus, and systems for controlling sending and receiving of universal serial bus (“USB”) messages between a plurality of host computers and a USB device over a data network. A first USB server is in communication with a first one of the host computers and the data network. A second USB server is in communication with a second one of the host computers and the data network. A USB client is in communication with the data network and the USB device. A first control path is established between the USB client and the first USB server, and a second control path is established between the USB client and the second USB server. A data transfer path is established between the USB client and the first USB server. The data transfer path enables sending of data between the USB client and the first USB server over the data network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing quality of service parameters for transmissions of multicast streams on a cable network is provided. A cable network headend connects an external network to a hybrid fiber coax or cable network. The cable network headend maintains a table of cable modems with entries associating each cable modem with one or more quality of service parameters. Virtual cable modem entries are created for multicast streams when indications of quality of service for multicast streams are received by the cable network headend. Multicast packets arriving at the cable network headend are processed using the stored quality of service parameters for the corresponding multicast stream. The multicast packets may then be transmitted, queued, or dropped depending on the specified parameters and traffic shaping or policing algorithms.

Abstract: A URL re-writing system and method in a network examines and modifies HTML data and its embedded URLs. The re-writing system can be implemented in a router and can replace URLs found in the HTML data in order to accomplish more efficient routing for example to a close mirror site or for content routing. The re-writing system can also use URL replacement to insert important or emergency information to data received by users on a Web-based network.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for simulating a plurality of cable modems for testing a device, such as a head end complex. In general terms, the present invention provides a multiple cable modem simulator and techniques for setting up and executing the same. In one implementation, the multiple cable modems are simulated by simulating multiple MAC (media access control) state machines for multiple cable modems. In other embodiments, a simulator of the present invention includes a mechanism for simulating physical operating conditions of the simulated cable modems. For example, even when the simulator is located at a single test location, different distances and power levels may be simulated for the different simulated cable modems.

Abstract: The type of audio stored in the payload of a data packet transmitted over a data network is identified as speech audio or non-speech audio through the use of a non-speech identifier included in a header in the data packet. Upon detection of data packet containing non-speech audio, the receiver of the data packet may modify jitter buffer latency while the non-speech audio is being received. Modifying the jitter buffer latency while non-speech audio is being received minimizes the loss of spoken words during jitter buffer latency modification.

Abstract: A signaling network node is configured for generating a routing decision based on selectively masking a point code field from a received SS7 signaling message. The received SS7 signaling message includes a header that includes a point code field having a prescribed bit length. The signaling network node searches its routing table to determine the presence of a matching full-length point code of the prescribed bit length that specifies a prescribed route for the received signaling message. If there is no matching full-length point code, the signaling network node generates a reduced point code by applying a user-selectable mask to the point code. The signaling network node then searches its routing table, based on the reduced point code, for a matching reduced-length point code that specifies a corresponding summary route. If desired different masks may be used until a matching reduced-length point code is located.

Abstract: Various aspects of an interactive multimedia system and associated methods. In general, the multimedia system employs central and peripheral hubs that function to provide services to a plurality of clients of a call manager server, or manager subsystem. The hubs and subsystem cooperate to serve requests originating in the plurality of clients. The client-server-client architecture allows for distributed processing and resource management. Redundant connections between the various network subsystems and hubs provide survivability. Each subsystem or hub is provided with the ability to initialize or recover from systemic errors, thereby distributing initialization and recovery. Certain of the distributed resources are capable of being managed from other subsystems, thereby allowing sharing of the resources. An open numbering plan allows efficient call treatment of dialed numbers. Call processing is sharable between multiple manager subsystems.

Abstract: A method for communicating messages in a multiple communication protocol network is disclosed. A first message is received at a first signaling adapter. The first message is based on a first communication protocol. A second message is received at a second signaling adapter. The second message is based on a second communication protocol. The first message is converted from the first communication protocol to a generic protocol, and the second message is converted from the second communication protocol to the generic protocol. The first message and the second message are received at a signaling adapter interface. The first signaling adapter and the second signaling adapter are detachable from the signaling adapter interface. The first message and the second message are sent to a network component.

Abstract: A memory system includes a client device and multiple memory devices. The client device communicates an operation request pertaining to a particular data object to one memory device. Referencing a host table, the memory device identifies multiple memory devices associated with an object key of the data object. The memory device communicates the operation request to the identified memory devices to be completed. If one of the memory devices in the memory system becomes inaccessible, the memory system is capable of replacing the inaccessible memory device in the host table. Furthermore, if a new memory device is added to the memory system, the memory system is capable of modifying the host table to associate some of the possible object keys with the new memory device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a generic distributed command, control, and communication framework that allows computer systems, devices, and operational personnel to interact with the network as a unified entity. The present invention provides these services by building upon a core communication architecture that permits local or remote execution of mobile program code, static execution of program code, flexible communication formats, self-healing network techniques, and expansion by the addition of new system modules, software handlers, or mobile autonomous agents.

Abstract: A directional antenna system is disclosed in which a plurality of RF nodes are provided for cooperatively forming a directional antenna array for transmitting and receiving wireless signals between a wireless client at a predetermined position in space. One or more network interface assemblies are provided for exchanging signals between the plurality of RF nodes and a network. Preferably, the plurality of RF nodes are distributed in space with respect to each other and the network interface assembly. The network interface includes a beamformer for applying a plurality of antenna weighting factors to the respective RF nodes, for introducing phase differences in the respective transmitted and received wireless signals that produce a directional steering vector for the wireless signals.

Abstract: An interface for a networking device. A network interface module existing within a networking device monitors certain contacts of a network connection to identify a protocol of the networking system to which it is connected. Based on the detected protocol, the network interface module selects a set of configuration information with which to configure the networking device.

Abstract: In a gateway router the length of the play-out buffer in VBD mode is not set at a previously established value. Instead the length of the play-out buffer in VBD mode is determined by the length of the buffer in the previous audio mode. When the system switches from audio mode to VDB mode, the length of the play-out buffer in audio mode is noted. The length of the play-out buffer in VBD mode is then set equal to its length in the prior audio mode plus a dilation factor. An audio concealment algorithm (which fills in gaps caused by missed packets) is used during the transition from audio to VDB to conceal any transition glitch during the answer tone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for embedding a digital signature into an MPEG stream. In the preferred embodiment, the digital signature is embedded in a plurality of PCR fields of a transport stream and is encrypted and scrambled to avoid detection and removal. Other embodiments are disclosed, each of which is designed to place a digital signature in a pre-compressed MPEG stream while requiring minimal computing resources to encode and decode the signature.

Abstract: A method and system for participant control of privacy during a multiparty communication session includes receiving a request from a first participant to a multiparty communication connection for a sidebar between the first participant and a second participant to the multiparty communication connection. The sidebar is provided by at least substantially eliminating voice streams generated by the first participant and the second participant from conference output streams generated for a set of remaining participants to the multiparty communication connection.

Abstract: A protection CMTS is available to immediately service a cable modem should that modem's service from a working CMTS fail for any reason. To speed the service transfer (cutover) from the working CMTS to the protection CMTS, the cable modem may preregister with the protection CMTS well before the cutover becomes necessary. The cable modem's registration with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS preferably employs a single IP address, so that the cable modem need not obtain a new IP address during cutover. While the cable modem may register with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, the devices are designed or configured so that only the working CMTS injects a host route for the cable modem into the appropriate routing protocol. Only after cutover to the protection CMTS does the protection CMTS inject its host route.

Abstract: A method for performing route calculations in a link state routing protocol at a node within a computer network. The method includes evaluating existing routes of the node when new route information is received and recalculating routes for the node only when the new route information improves at least one of the existing routes or at least one of the existing routes is made worse or lost. A system for performing route calculations is also disclosed.