Abstract: A method of transmitting information over POTS wiring includes transmitting a first delimiter signal, in the form of a multi-cycle waveform having a frequency of approximately 7.5 MHz, over the POTS wiring. A second delimiter signal, also comprising a multi-cycle waveform, is then later propagated over the POTS wiring. The time duration between the respective propagations of the first and second delimiter signals defines a symbol, which encodes information. The time duration is also such that reflections on the carrier medium resulting from the propagation of the first delimiter signal decay to a predetermined level prior to propagation of the second delimiter signal.

Abstract: A resource constrained routing method in active networks having a plurality of active nodes for servicing client requests includes capturing a client service request by the active node coupled to the requesting client and generating a routing directive by updating an upstream pointer to indicate another active node to actually process the service request and a downstream pointer to indicate to the processing active node the requesting client. The routing directive generation is based upon the resource status synchronization table at the capturing active node that contains information about the capabilities of all of the other active nodes in the network. The resource status synchronization table is updated on an event basis when the processing active node accepts responsibility for processing the service request and again when the processing active node completes the service request in order to maintain coherency between all of the active nodes.

Abstract: A method of refining a pixel-based segmentation mask derived by upsampling a block-based segmentation mask for an image having multiple object classes determines a likelihood that each pixel in the pixel-based segmentation mask exists in each object class. Boundary pixels between bordering classes are extracted and processed to find a true class for each boundary pixel. The pixel-based segmentation mask is then updated with the true class for each of the boundary pixels to produce a smoothed pixel-based segmentation mask.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a cryptographic-based license management device comprising a license authority configured to generate a license in response to a product option request; an interface module having a plurality of product options that may be selectively enabled in response to a valid license issued by the license authority; a non-volatile memory associated with the interface module, the non-volatile memory module containing a programmable verification component for determining the authenticity of the license; and a license verification module associated with the interface module, the license verification module configured to verify the authenticity of a license using the programmable verification component contained within the non-volatile memory and enable selected product options provided the license is verified by the license verification module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically selecting different data rates for communicating data over a high bit rate, digital signal line (HDSL) line such as a dry pair line. In one embodiment master/slave interface circuits at opposite ends of a line attempt to establish communications at a higher frequency. If this fails, communications are attempted at a lower frequency. If communications are successful at the higher frequency and communications continue for a predetermined period of time at the higher frequency and then communications fail, an attempt is made to reestablish communications at the higher frequency. An algorithm is set forth for enabling selecting among a plurality of different speeds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a initializing and reconfiguring a network interface device connecting a client computer system to an external network. The network interface device is configured for the client system by automated procedures and protocols initiated from a remote server. Software programs within the network interface device provide transparent communication between the client computer system and services available on the external network. Similar software programs and a configuration database within the network interface device provide transparent communication between the client computer system and the remote server.

Abstract: A method of installing a software application image, for a software upgrade, within a remote and embedded target device includes the step of storing both a current and an upgraded software application image within an EEPROM within the target device. The set of instructions embodied within the current application image is maintained within the target device, while a validation operation is performed with respect to a set of instructions embodied within the upgraded software application image. Only once complete installation and successful execution of the upgraded application image have been validated is the upgraded application image designated as a current application image, and the previously installed application image discarded. Accordingly, the risk of the target device being a rendered unbootable as a result of the installation of a software upgrade is reduced.

Abstract: A method to detect a collision on a carrier medium, such as UTP or POTS wiring, commences with a transmission of a first identifier for a network device over the carrier medium. The first identifier comprises a first series of pulses transmitted over a first time interval. Each pulse of the first series has a respective temporal location within the first time interval. A second identifier comprising a second series of pulses is received at the network device over a second time interval. A determination is made as to whether the first identifier corresponds to the second identifier and, if not, a collision is detected on the carrier medium. The determination of whether the first and second identifiers correspond may comprise determining whether the respective temporal locations, within the first time interval, of each pulse of the first series of pulses corresponds to a respective temporal location, within the second time interval, of a pulse in the second series of pulses.

Abstract: A method of detecting signals propagated on a carrier medium includes the step of determining a noise threshold level, relative to a noise floor on a carrier medium, such as for example POTS wiring. A peak threshold level is then determined relative to peaks of a data signal. A data threshold level is then calculated utilizing the noise threshold level and the peak threshold level. For example, the noise threshold level and the peak threshold level may be averaged to calculate the data threshold level. A data signal pulse is then detected on traversal of the data threshold level by the data signal.

Abstract: A switch for switching a packet within a communications network includes a switching core that services a number of ports. The switch also includes address matching logic, coupled to the switching core, that implements an address lookup scheme according to which the switching core may switch to packet received at the switch. Override logic, that is also coupled to the switching core, determines with a packet received at any one of the number of ports serviced by the switching core is received at a predetermined port. This may be done by snooping a bus within the switch that provides an indication of an active port. If the packet was not received at the predetermined port, the override logic override the address matching logic to cause the switching core to route the packet exclusively to the first port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding a symbol, having a time duration indicative of a bit sequence and determined by first and second delimiters being with the detection of the first delimiter of the symbol on a carrier medium. A predetermined blanking interval is measured following detection of this first delimiter. Detection of the second delimiter on the carrier medium is prevented prior to expiration of the predetermined blanking interval. This is to prevent the detection of reflections resulting from the propagation of the first delimiter over the carrier medium, and the incorrect identification of such reflections as the second delimiter of the symbol. The valid second delimiter of the symbol is then detected on a carrier medium subsequent to expiration of the predetermined blanking interval. A symbol, indicative of the bit sequence, is identified from a group of symbols based on the time duration between the respective detections of the first and second delimiters.

Abstract: A binary data encoding and decoding technique that alternates between starting polarities of a signal for both each occurrence of a binary 1 and each occurrence of two or more consecutive binary 0's. To encode a binary 1, the signal is one polarity for one-half of a bit interval and then the other polarity for the other half of the bit interval. To encode a binary 0, the signal remains at a zero level, unless there are two or more consecutive binary 0's, in which case the signal will be one polarity for the second half of the first binary 0 bit interval, the other polarity for the first half of the second binary 0 bit interval, and repeat this waveform for every for every two adjacent binary 0's. Decoding occurs by examination of either the signal level as compared to predetermined cut-levels, or the time equivalent distance between the peaks.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the sensitivity of a receiver requires the association of a network address of a remote network device, such as a computer, with a first port of a multiport network device, such as a switch. The reception of the network address of the remote network device at a second port of the multiport network device indicates the possible occurrence of a cross-talk condition between networks coupled to the first and second ports. Accordingly, the sensitivity of a receiver associated with the second port is reduced in an attempt to reduce the sensitivity thereof to a point at which cross-talk signals, generated as a result of the cross-talk condition between networks coupled to the first and second ports, are no longer detected. The sensitivity of the receiver may be reduced by increasing a noise threshold level below which signals are not detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium, such as UTP wiring, are described. The method commences with the transmission of an access identifier from a transmitter of a network device. The transmitted access identifier has a predetermined duration and includes a pulse at a temporal location within the transmitted access identifier specific thereto. An access identifier is also received at a receiver of the network device. The received access identifier also has a predetermined duration, and includes a pulse at a temporal location therein. A determination is then made as to whether the temporal location of the pulse within the received access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the transmitted access identifier. If not, a collision is detected on the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a bit sequence as a symbol, suitable for transmission over POTS wiring, are described. The symbol has a duration indicative of the bit sequence, this time duration be determined by first and second delimiters. The method commences upon the receipt of a bit sequence at an encoder. Thereafter, a symbol, having a duration indicative of the bit sequence, is identified. The symbol is characterized in that it includes a buffer portion and an encoding portion. The buffer portion is of sufficient duration to allow reflections, generated by propagation of the first delimiter of the symbol on the POTS wiring, to decay to a predetermined level before propagation of the second delimiter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically selecting different data rates for communicating data over a high bit rate, digital signal line (HDSL) line such as a dry pair line. In one embodiment master/slave interface circuits at opposite ends of a line attempt to establish communications at a higher frequency. If this fails, communications are attempted at a lower frequency. If communications are successful at the higher frequency and communications continue for a predetermined period of time at the higher frequency and then communications fail, an attempt is made to reestablish communications at the higher frequency. An algorithm is set forth for enabling selecting among a plurality of different speeds.

Abstract: A receiver for a LAN which uses a transformer for isolation. Base line wander is prevented by use of a positive feedback path which provides a signal that compensates for low frequency loss through the transformer. The feedback path connects the output of the receiver to the secondary winding of the transformer. The time constant of the transformer and terminating resistor L/R equals the RC time constant in the feedback path.

Abstract: An encoding and decoding mechanism for communicating digital data where the binary states are represented by a duration of time between transitions of a signal. For instance, the time between zero crossings of a signal are used to represent binary states. These times can be selected so as to avoid ambiguities between the binary state being detected even where the transmission medium is irregular. A typical application is the creation of a LAN in a home using twisted pair telephone lines. The LAN can be made to be transparent and independent of telephone service received over lines shared with the LAN.

Abstract: A method for connecting together two twisted pair lines in a LAN so as to avoid common mode current. The invention recognizes that the impedance to ground is different for each wire in the twisted pair line. Moreover, this impedance is different from spool-to-spool for lines having the same purported impedance. A balun is placed at the connection between the lines.

Abstract: A LAN which uses flat telephone cable having at least four conductors. The inner conductors are joined together and the outer conductors are joined together at each node thereby making reversals of the inner and outer conductors, which may occur at connectors, impossible. Each node uses two baluns to provide an unbalanced zone between the baluns for connecting to the DTE.