Abstract: Protocol analyzer systems enable synchronization of timestamps and the capture of data across serially chained boxes that are used together to monitor and capture network data. Through experiment, it can be determined how long it takes to propagate a signal to each box in the chain. These values are then recorded in each box in a delay register so that each box has a recorded delay value corresponding to the time required to propagate a signal to or receive a signal from every other box. Each box applies a control signal, such as a run signal or a trigger signal, to the ports in the box only after the expiration of the delay value indicated in the delay register. The box initiating the signal has the largest delay since the other boxes need to get the signal before the boxes can begin to operate with a common counter, with successive boxes having smaller delays.

Abstract: An optical signal return path system analog RF signals are sampled using a master clock frequency, and combined with digital data such as Ethernet data at a cable node. The cable node sends the combined signals on a return path over a fiber optic medium to the cable hub. The cable hub extracts an approximate in-frequency replicate of a master clock signal, and can use the replicate master clock signal to desample the digitized RF signals back to analog. The cable hub can further use the replicate of the master clock signal to serialize Ethernet data, and send the Ethernet data back to the cable node via an optical cable in the forward direction. Accordingly, a single master clock signal can be used on a CATV network for encoding/decoding, and transmitting a variety of data signals, which enhances the integrity and reliability of the data signals.

Abstract: A passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL tap includes first and second network ports and first and second tap ports. A passive signal separator is configured to receive a data stream from at least one of the first or second network port and pass through the data stream and a first signal portion comprising at least the first signal component and a second signal portion comprising at least the second signal component. A first receive only physical interface device (Phy) is configured to receive the first signal portion from the signal separator and provide the first portion to the first tap port and a second receive only Phy is configured to receive the second signal portion from the signal separator and provide the second signal portion to the second tap port.

Abstract: A receive or listen only Physical Interface Device (Phy). The receive or listen only Phy is configured to have a front end configured to only receive data from a communications network. The receive only Phy may be implemented a part of a tap device including a first network port for receiving a first network signal having a first format; a receive only Phy for converting the first network signal into a second signal format; and a transmit and receive Phy for receiving the first network signal in the second signal format and converting it into the first signal format.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention relate to passive full-duplex bidirectional Zero Packet Loss (ZPL) network taps that include single, dual, or dual differential couplers that are placed in the communication path between two network devices that communicate using a full-duplex bidirectional data stream that include a first and a second data component. The bidirectional couplers are configured to at least partially obtain a second data stream that includes at least the first data component and to obtain a third data stream that includes at least the second data component. In some embodiments, the bidirectional couplers may include a signal separation module or stage that is configured to further separate the first and second data components.

Abstract: A passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL tap includes first and second network ports and tap ports. A signal separator is configured to receive a data stream from at least one of the first or second network ports and pass through the data stream and configured to obtain a first signal portion comprising at least the first signal component and obtain a second signal portion comprising at least the second signal component. A DSP stage is configured to substantially remove any second data component from the first signal portion and to substantially remove any first data component from the second signal portion. A first receive only Phy is configured to receive the first signal portion and provide the first signal portion to the first tap port and a second receive only Phy is configured to receive the second signal portion and provide the second signal portion to the second tap port.

Abstract: A tool for use by financial professionals such as portfolio managers monitors values of assets in portfolios and maintains buy and sell levels for the assets. The tool can be configured to recommend the sale of an asset where the asset value has increased in a gain run by at least the corresponding sell level and the value of the asset in the portfolio is more than a target allocation. The tool can be configured to recommend the purchase of an asset where the asset value has decreased in a drop run by at least the corresponding buy level and the value of the asset in the portfolio is less than a target allocation. The tool may monitor a balance in a non-volatile account and coordinate the transfer of funds from sales of assets into the non-volatile account. Machine implemented methods can assist management of financial portfolios.

Abstract: An optical signal return path system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver receives an optical data signal from the transmitter and recovers therefrom a digital data stream and an associated first clock having an associated first clock rate. The data stream is stored in a memory device at the first clock rate. A clock generator generates a second clock having an associated second clock rate that is adjusted in accordance with a clock control signal. A control circuit reads data from the memory device at a rate corresponding to the second clock rate and generates a fullness signal that indicates whether the memory device is fuller more full than a predefined threshold fullness level. A clock speed adjusting circuit generates the clock control signal in accordance with the fullness signal.

Abstract: A network tap device array including one or more passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL network tap devices is disclosed. The array enables data from multiple nodes in a communications network to be tapped and forwarded to a plurality of monitoring devices. In one embodiment the network tap device array includes a chassis that is configured to receive a plurality of passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL network tap devices. Each passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL network tap device includes network ports for passing network data via communication cables and tap ports for forwarding the tapped network data to the monitoring device. In another embodiment, a sub-chassis includes a plurality of passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL network tap devices and an aggregator that aggregates tapped data from each of the tap devices. The aggregator then forwards the aggregated data to the monitoring device. The sub-chassis can be included in a chassis that is configured to receive multiple populated chassis.

Abstract: A cable node and a cable hub that communicate on a CATV network are configured to switch communication modes without signal loss or degradation due to delays in switching communication modes. In particular, a cable node sends one or more mute commands in an outgoing data stream to the cable hub, causing the cable hub to disable the RF outputs. Afterward, or along with the one or more mute commands, the cable node can send a switch mode command, thereby causing the cable hub to switch to the appropriate next communication mode, such as a communication mode using a new compression rate. When the cable hub has switched to the appropriate next communication mode, the cable hub can then properly receive and decode a corresponding data stream using the next communication mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a bar code scanning system adapted for assembling information bearing indicia (IBI) information from partial scans of IBI data which may comprise some undecodable characters, the method comprising the steps of: converting light reflected from a target into output signals representative thereof utilizing an image sensor; illuminating the target utilizing an illumination source; directing light from the target to the image sensor array utilizing receive optics; determining if information contained in IBI within the target derived from the output signals is not decodable; transmitting an image of the IBI to a host processor if the IBI is not decoded.

Abstract: A return path transmitter includes an optical signal receiver configured to receive a digital optical signal and generate therefrom a first digitized RF data stream and a sample clock. The return path transmitter further includes an RF signal receiver, coupled to the optical signal receiver, configured to receive and convert the analog RF data signal into a second digitized RF data stream of digitized RF data samples at a rate determined by the sample clock. The return path transmitter further includes a summing circuit configured to mathematically sum the first and second digitized RF data streams so as to generate a third digitized RF data stream. The return path transmitter further includes an optical transmitter configured to convert an output data stream into a serialized optical data signal for transmission over an optical fiber, the output data stream including the third digitized RF data stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Cable Television (CATV) that includes a head end with a radio-frequency hub and an Ethernet hub to separately process data transmitted within the CATV. Specifically, the radio-frequency hub receives the data, extracts radio-frequency data therefrom, outputs the extracted radio-frequency data, and transmits the data to the Ethernet hub, which is external to the radio-frequency hub. The Ethernet hub receives the data from the radio-frequency hub, extracts Ethernet data from the data, outputs the extracted Ethernet data to an Ethernet data port, inputs additional Ethernet data from the Ethernet data port, incorporates the additional Ethernet data into the data, and transmits the data, with the additional Ethernet data incorporated therein, to a receiver.

Abstract: A cable node and a cable hub that communicate on a CATV network are configured to switch compression modes without signal noise or degradation due to excessive delays in switching compression modes. In particular, a cable node sends one or more mute commands in an outgoing data stream to the cable hub, causing the cable hub to disable the RF outputs. Afterward, or along with the one or more mute commands, the cable node can send a switch mode command, thereby causing the cable hub to switch to the appropriate next communication mode, such as a communication mode using a new compression rate. When the cable node and the cable hub have switched to the appropriate next communication mode, the cable hub can then properly receive a corresponding data stream from the cable node using the next communication mode.

Abstract: A networking system is provided. The networking system may include a diagnostic module. The diagnostic module may perform any of a variety of network diagnostic functions. A diagnostic module may include an oscillator module. The oscillator module may be configured to provide a variety of clock signals to support a variety of network protocols and/or data rates.

Abstract: A dock line assembly for docking a vessel comprises a housing, first and second lines connected opposing ends of the housing, and a dampener contained within the housing and adapted to allow for axially extension and retraction of the first line relative to the second line. The first or second lines are configured to be deployable to a selectively adjustable length and lockable thereat in order to accommodate varying lengths between the vessel and the dock or mooring. The dock line assembly may further comprise a biasing element adapted to bias the first and second lines towards one another following axially extension or retraction under the influence of compressive or tensile forces transmitted as a result of wind, weather, tide or wake action.