Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: Data signals from a telecommunication network are routed to a gateway which generates analog signal distributed to receivers within a customer premises. A network interface device receives digital signals from the telecommunication network. A first diplexer has a digital signal port connected to the network interface device. The first diplexer combined signal port is connected with the combined signal port of a second diplexer. The gateway receives digital signals from the second diplexer digital signal port and provides analog signals to the second diplexer analog signal port. Analog signals are then available to receivers at both the first diplexer analog signal port and the second diplexer analog signal port.

Abstract: An apparatus. and method of powering a cable telephony service platform (CTSP) in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network are provided which utilizes a combination of power from a local AC driven power source having a back-up battery for powering the CTSP within a network interface unit (NIU) during interruptions in normal AC power, and a network generated charging current which maintains the battery at full float voltage charge irrespective of the duration of any such interruptions in AC power delivery. Thus, the present invention minimizes power required to be delivered by the network while still ensuring support of reliable lifeline telephony service for cable telephony on an HFC network.

Abstract: A method for managing MAC messages is provided which supports dynamic resource reservation for upstream data traffic in a broadband cable system. Three specialized MAC management messages of Dynamic Session Addition, Dynamic Session Deletion, and Dynamic Session Acknowledgment are used to control setting of a filter spec parameter in a cable modem. The present invention provides upstream bandwidth resource reservation which allows packet scheduling to occur at a CMTS, and packet classification to occur at a cable modem. Such an arrangement allows the RSVP protocol to be adapted for use at the OSI protocol layer of a typical cable modem, thereby improving efficiency of network bandwidth/resource allocation.

Abstract: An integrated service management architecture supporting configuration and accounting management functions for multiple services includes a database for storing configuration and accounting data. At least one service application independent from the database has the ability to use, act upon, change, and update the data stored in the database for facilitating service delivery and control of service provided by at least one service application. A predefined application program interface is utilized having a set of communication rules and protocols permitting two-way exchange of information between the database and at least one service application.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a software program over a cable network includes a head-end server operative to compress a plurality of software programs and transmit the compressed software programs over the cable network at a plurality of corresponding predetermined scheduled times. A primary processor in communication with the cable network receives a selected one of the plurality of software programs at the corresponding predetermined scheduled time, decompresses the program and stores it. A secondary processor in communication with the primary processor includes navigational software and drivers to enable the primary processor to select and receive the software program from the cable network without upstream communication to the head-end server.

Abstract: A system and method for registering a wireless telephone which is normally operative in its corresponding wireless telephone network to a selected wireline of the Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) wherein upstream signaling takes place out-of-band. A base station in electrical communication with one or more selected PSTN wirelines detects when the wireless telephone comes within its registration range. A Set-Top Terminal (STT) in electrical communication with the base station and the broadband network provides the interface to send upstream signaling to the PSTN and the corresponding wireless telephone network through the broadband network. The STT coordinates the delivery of upstream signaling, sets up the physical connections between the PSTN and the STT for billing and other purposes and coordinates the delivery of the upstream signaling to other service providers, where applicable.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently searching a master database includes a memory device for storing a subset of the master database in an auxiliary data-base. A computer program receives an input signal corresponding to the search and processes the input signal with the auxiliary database to determine the presence or absence of qualifying search targets. Thus, target information is determined prior to actually accessing the database.

Abstract: A digital audio/video archive and distribution system (10) and method utilize a signal capture and compression encoding subsystem (12) to translate an analog signal from at least one media source (14) into at least one digital signal segment. The digital signal segment is automatically correlated with identifying information (18) input via an Internet connection, and both are stored in a searchable database subsystem (24). Upon a user request (28) received via an Internet connection, or programming prompt, a graphical user interface (GUI), such as a web-based user interface, is created to distribute one or more of the stored digital signal segments.

Abstract: A partitioned communication system includes a shared switch network system in communication with an Intelligent Network Processor (INP). A terminating Intelligent Communication Device (ICD) located outside the management and control of the network defines a boundary therebetween and permits multiple inter-dependant parts of the communication service to be distributed to increase functionality without modifying an existing network switch.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a text message from a caller to a subscriber at an unknown address based on a known address or number associated with the subscriber includes a server application having a database. The database contains addresses and phone numbers associated with the subscriber. The caller transmits a first signal to obtain access to the database, and then transmits a second signal representative of one of the known address and number upon accessing the database. The caller then receives either a text-based address or number, or both, associated with the subscriber in response to the second signal. A text-based address or number is an address or phone number capable of receiving text messages, such as an e-mail address or fax number. The caller then transmits a text message to one of the text-based address and number for receipt by the subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for providing a first party, engaged in a data call, i.e. a data transmission or communication between machines, call waiting notification without interrupting the data call the first party is engaged in. One embodiment of the present invention includes a central office adjunct which detects a third party call to a first party already engaged in a data call, generates a call waiting data portion compatible with the data call, when said third party call is detected, and merges the call waiting data portion with the data call. One aspect of the present invention includes the first party's computer, loaded with appropriate software, detecting the call waiting data portion and using the computer's output devices to notify the first party of the presence of the third party call.

Abstract: A SONET planning tool is provided for generating optimized SONET rings based on an existing SONET system capacity and anticipated system demand at minimal cost. The planning tool includes an analytical process that accurately models and utilizes embedded systems, linear chains, unidirectional rings, and bi-directional rings based on existing capabilities. In addition, large forecasted demands can be preprocessed with dedicated two-node rings, and multi-period studies can be generated.

Abstract: An improved, automated teller machine (ATM) for enhanced telephony access is provided. The ATM provides for conventional financial transactions with financial institutions as well as the purchase of prepaid calling cards for telephony services. In the latter regard, the improved ATM is operable to receive a prepaid calling card purchase transaction request input by a customer and to transmit a message to a transaction service network for authorization of such transaction. Pursuant to authorization, the ATM is operable to automatically initiate a call to a telephony network to establish a prepaid calling card account. In particular, the ATM is operable to call a predetermined station number corresponding with a prepaid calling card service provider. Such predetermined number may correspond with an AIN-capable switch that allows the ATM to interface with a service control point maintained by the prepaid calling card service provider within the telephony network.

Abstract: A bill comprises a first sheet of paper having two or more information panels and a remittance panel defined therein. Information (e.g., text) in the information panels is oriented in a first direction, and information in the remittance panel (e.g., text) is oriented in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. In one embodiment, first sheet comprises two information panels on a first side, and two information panels on a second side. A first information panel comprises summary information; second and third information panel comprises billing information, and a fourth information panel comprises advertising information. The bill is folded such that information in the information panels reads like a book (excepting the remittance panel which is generally torn off). In another embodiment, information in side-by-side panels comprise information in two languages, for example English and Spanish.