Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide broadband subscribers with dynamic, automatic routing information for accessing services offered by a service provider network (35) and/or content provider networks (40, 45). Client software on the subscriber's computer (10) retrieves a file such as an HyperText Markup Language (HTML) document from a predetermined server containing connection-oriented routing information for gaining access to various network services. The client software parses the HTML document and extracts the routing information. The client software then uses this routing information to populate and manipulate the subscriber computer (10) routing table.

Abstract: A communications system that facilitates the provision of differentiated quality of service is disclosed, including a marker for receiving a packet of data from an application (110), for examining the packet for predefined criteria, for setting the value of QoS bits in the packet based on the predefined criteria, and for forwarding the packet to a multiple Virtual Circuit (multi-VC) bridge (300). The multi-VC bridge (300) is connected to the marker and selects an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) (120, 122, 124) over which to transmit the packet by mapping the value of the QoS bits to a PVC in a mapping table and forwards the packet over the selected PVC to a destination address.

Abstract: A method for packet bypass in a communications network includes receiving a plurality of packets, determining whether each packet is a bypass packet or a non-bypass packet, and communicating the non-bypass packets toward a communication link. The method also includes communicating a plurality of the bypass packets toward the communication link between communication of two of the non-bypass packets.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a method includes, at a tunneling server, receiving from first client a point-to-point protocol signal encapsulated within a network address request header, the point-to-point protocol signal comprising an identifier identifying a destination client. The method further comprises encapsulating the point-to-point signal within a network address response header and communicating the network address response encapsulated signal toward the destination client.

Abstract: A network interface device includes a first interface operable to receive at least two incoming calls over a subscriber line, and a second interface operable to facilitate communication between the first interface and a first telephone line and between the first interface and a second telephone line. The second interface is also operable to generate one or more first ring voltages on the first telephone line and one or more second ring voltages on the second telephone line. The network interface device also includes a processor coupled to the first interface and the second interface. The processor is operable to instruct the second interface to generate the first and second ring voltages in response to receiving the incoming calls. The processor is also operable to allocate the first and second ring voltages among the first and second telephone lines to ensure that a total instantaneous load placed on the second interface does not exceed a determined threshold level.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for datagram staggering in a communication system includes receiving samples of a first input signal and a second input signal. The first input signal corresponds to a first communication device, and the second input signal corresponds to a second communication device. The method also includes generating a first plurality of datagrams containing at least a portion of the samples of the first input signal. In addition, the method includes generating a second datagram containing at least a portion of the samples of the second input signal. The second datagram is staggered from each of the first plurality of datagrams such that the second datagram is ready for communication at a different time than any of the first plurality of datagrams.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for identifying an available peripheral component interconnect (PCI) slot in a computing device includes identifying at least one PCI slot in the computing device. The method also includes identifying any PCI devices coupled to a PCI bus. The PCI bus is coupled to the PCI slot. The method further includes determining if any of the identified PCI slots are available without requiring physical inspection of the PCI slots. An available PCI slot comprises an identified PCI slot that is not coupled to an identified PCI device.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for power loss notification includes receiving at least a threshold voltage from a power supply. The method also includes charging at least one capacitor when the power supply is supplying at least the threshold voltage. The method further includes failing to receive at least the threshold voltage from the power supply, and reverse biasing at least one diode coupled between the power supply and the at least one capacitor. In addition, the method includes detecting the reverse bias state of the diode.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for identifying an available peripheral component interconnect (PCI) slot in a computing device includes identifying at least one PCI slot in the computing device. The method also includes identifying any PCI devices coupled to a PCI bus. The PCI bus is coupled to the PCI slot. The method further includes determining if any of the identified PCI slots are available without requiring physical inspection of the PCI slots. An available PCI slot comprises an identified PCI slot that is not coupled to an identified PCI device.

Abstract: A transmission circuit for transmitting data from a host to a remote includes a plurality of memory queues, and a memory controller operable to prefetch a burst of data cells from the host, wherein a first data cell of the burst is transmitted by the memory controller to the remote and the remainder of the data cells of the burst are stored in the plurality of memory queues for later transmission to the remote.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for identifying a product for use with a computing device includes determining one or more types of interfaces that are available to be coupled to a peripheral device without requiring physical inspection of the computing device. The method also includes identifying one or more products for use with the computing device based on the availability of the interfaces.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method of emulating a network clock signal in a multiple channel environment includes receiving a plurality of asynchronous signals each associated with one of a plurality of communication channels and storing each of the plurality of asynchronous signals in one of a plurality of buffers, each associated with one of the communication channels, the buffers operable to communicate with a synchronous communication link having a frame rate. The method further comprises identifying one of the plurality of communication channels as a reference channel, determining a current depth of the buffer associated with the reference channel, and altering the frame rate of the synchronous communication link based at least in part on the current depth of the buffer associated with the reference channel.

Abstract: A method of scheduling transmission of a plurality of cells of a first signal packet associated with a first virtual channel address using a scheduling ring having a plurality of slots and pointer operable to indicate a current slot includes advancing the pointer to a slot associated with the first virtual channel address, initiating transmission of a previously scheduled first cell associated with the first virtual channel address, rescheduling transmission of a previously unscheduled second cell associated with the first virtual channel address for transmission at a later time, and advancing the pointer to the next slot.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling data flow in an available bit rate asynchronous transfer mode ATM network. In the ATM network, a transmitting end station transmits data to a receiving end station across the network. The transmitting end station sends forward resource management (RM) cells across the network, while the receiving end station sends solicited or unsolicited backward RM cells across the network. The receiving end station contains a control module that generates and transmits an unsolicited RM cell having a desired low data flow rate to transmitting end station upon detecting congestion at the receiving end station. The control module also generates and transmits an unsolicited RM cell having a desired high data flow rate to the transmitting end station upon detecting absence of congestion at the receiving end station.

Abstract: A data transmission system includes a memory, a remote coupled to the memory by a receive data controller, and a host coupled to the memory by a transmit data controller. The system prioritizes the transmission of data cells from the remote to the host based on demand by dynamically allocating portions of the memory to data cells sharing a common and frequently recurring address at the host, and transmitting to the host incihvidual data cells together in a burst.

Abstract: A modem operable to facilitate communication between a host and a communications link includes a memory operable to store a rate control algorithm. The modem further comprises a controller operable to receive from the universal serial bus a first USB segment comprising a first plurality of ATM cells and rate control information associated with the first plurality of ATM cells, to store the first plurality of ATM cells in the memory, to perform the rate control algorithm on the first plurality of ATM cells using the rate control information received in the first USB segment, and to transmit each of the plurality of ATM cells at a particular transmission rate according to the results of the rate control algorithm.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes circuitry operable to facilitate communication over a digital subscriber line. The apparatus also includes a filter operable to be coupled between the circuitry and the digital subscriber line. The filter has a corner frequency and is operable to attenuate transients associated with the circuitry when the apparatus is in use. The filter is tuned to an impedance of the circuitry.

Abstract: In a system including a plurality of telephones coupled to an asymmetric digital subscriber line, a circuit operable to facilitate communication using the asymmetric digital subscriber line includes a filter having a corner frequency and being operable to be coupled between one of the plurality of telephones and the asymmetric digital subscriber line. The filter is also operable to attenuate transients associated with the telephone operating in an off-hook state. The circuit also includes a switch coupled to the filter. The switch is operable to effect a change in the corner frequency of the associated filter depending on whether the telephone coupled to the filter is operating in an on-hook or an off-hook state, the change in the corner frequency operating to attenuate parasitic interference associated with telephones in an on-hook state.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for power loss notification includes receiving at least a threshold voltage from a power supply. The method also includes charging at least one capacitor when the power supply is supplying at least the threshold voltage. The method further includes failing to receive at least the threshold voltage from the power supply, and reverse biasing at least one diode coupled between the power supply and the at least one capacitor. In addition, the method includes detecting the reverse bias state of the diode.

Abstract: A multiple mode xDSL interface (60) is disclosed. The multiple mode xDSL interface (60) includes an xDSL termination unit (62) operable to couple to an XDSL link (64) and to manage communication of data across an xDSL physical layer. The mulitple mode xDSL interface (60) also includes a customer premises equipment (CPE) termination unit (65) coupled to the xDSL termination unit (62) and operable to couple to customer premises equipment. The CPE termination unit (65) has an operating mode selected from a plurality of operating modes where each operating mode is associated with a data protocol and supports communication of data across the xDSL physical layer using the associated data protocol.