Abstract: Early power failure (EPF) detection circuit applies a rectified, unfiltered periodic waveform, at the frequency of the mains supply voltage to a threshold detector. During each cycle of the periodic waveform, the threshold detector produces a pulse voltage having a leading edge when the periodic waveform begins to exceed a threshold level associated with the threshold detector and a trailing edge when the periodic waveform ceases to exceed the threshold voltage. A microprocessor measures the length of the interval between the leading and trailing edges for indirectly measuring the magnitude (for example, RMS or peak) of the mains supply voltage. When the indirectly measured magnitude decreases below a minimum permissible, second threshold magnitude, a controlled power shutdown of the apparatus is initiated, such as by, for example, programs interrupt routine in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A system permits wirelessly controlling the duty cycle of alternating current at a wall electrical outlet (152) remote from a wall electrical outlet (144) which is controlled by a wall switch (142).

Abstract: A system permits wirelessly controlling the duty cycle of alternating current at a wall electrical outlet (152) remote from a wall electrical outlet (144) which is controlled by a wall switch (142).

Abstract: A system permits wirelessly controlling the duty cycle of alternating current at a wall electrical outlet (152) remote from a wall electrical outlet (144) which is controlled by a wall switch (142).

Abstract: A system permits wirelessly controlling the duty cycle of alternating current at a wall electrical outlet (152) remote from a wall electrical outlet (144) which is controlled by a wall switch (142).

Abstract: Early power failure (EPF) detection circuit applies a rectified, unfiltered periodic waveform, at the frequency of the mains supply voltage to a threshold detector. During each cycle of the periodic waveform, the threshold detector produces a pulse voltage having a leading edge when the periodic waveform begins to exceed a threshold level associated with the threshold detector and a trailing edge when the periodic waveform ceases to exceed the threshold voltage. A microprocessor measures the length of the interval between the leading and trailing edges for indirectly measuring the magnitude (for example, RMS or peak) of the mains supply voltage. When the indirectly measured magnitude decreases below a minimum permissible, second threshold magnitude, a controlled power shutdown of the apparatus is initiated, such as by, for example, programs interrupt routine in the microprocessor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and bi-directional communication device, such as a cable modem, router, bridge, or other communication device adapted to communicate via a network and having a firewall, for identifying those packets associated with inappropriate activity. The communication device includes at least one user discernable indicator associated with the firewall. The at least one user discernable indicator contemporaneously indicates that a number of packets associated with the inappropriate activity has exceeded a threshold level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting disturbances in an alternating current (AC) supply. A method includes a step of indicating a relationship between supplied AC voltage and a threshold voltage for at least a portion of each cycle of the supplied AC voltage. A circuit for detecting disturbances in supplied alternating current (AC) is provided. The circuit includes a threshold detector coupled to a source of supplied AC. The threshold detector provides a signal indicating a relationship of the supplied AC levels to a threshold level for at least a portion of each cycle of the supplied AC.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting presence of service on a telephone line prior to and during activation of alternative service on the line. The method comprises performing a first voltage detection on a subscriber line (S20), activating a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) if no pre-existing service is detected (S30), the SLIC providing an interface between the subscriber line and a service provider, and performing a second voltage detection on the subscriber line after a usage-dependent time has elapsed (S60), the time being determined by heuristics which consider several factors, including usage history of the line and time of day.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bi-directional communication, such as a cable modem, adapted to interface with a plurality of consumer electronics devices such as external storage of memory. The communications device has a first interface adapted to provide data transfer between a host device and a communications network. A second interface is adapted to provide data transfer between the host device and an external storage device or consumer electronics product having a memory storage device. The second interface circuitry is adapted to determine a type of external device coupled thereto and responsively retrieve data therefrom, the retrieved data being provided to the host device.

Abstract: A ring boost circuit has a first switching device coupled to a ring node. The first switching device is responsive to a ring operation. A charge pump is connected to the ring node, and the charge pump provides a voltage offset to enhance a differential voltage between the ring node and a tip node when the first switching device is activated during the ring operation.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting presence of service on a telephone line prior to and during activation of alternative service on the line. The method comprises performing a first voltage detection on a subscriber line (S20), activating a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) if no pre-existing service is detected (S30), the SLIC providing an interface between the subscriber line and a service provider, and performing a second voltage detection on the subscriber line after a usage-dependent time has elapsed (S60), the time being determined by heuristics which consider several factors, including usage history of the line and time of day.

Abstract: A ring boost circuit has a first switching device coupled to a ring node. The first switching device is responsive to a ring operation. A charge pump is connected to the ring node, and the charge pump provides a voltage offset to enhance a differential voltage between the ring node and a tip node when the first switching device is activated during the ring operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bi-directional communication, such as a cable modem, adapted to interface with a plurality of consumer electronics devices such as external storage of memory. The communications device has a first interface adapted to provide data transfer between a host device and a communications network. A second interface is adapted to provide data transfer between the host device and an external storage device or consumer electronics product having a memory storage device. The second interface circuitry is adapted to determine a type of external device coupled thereto and responsively retrieve data therefrom, the retrieved data being provided to the host device.

Abstract: A telephone handset interface reduces or eliminates feedback induced singing in a telephone handset/hybrid loop. The interface provides for user selectable volume control settings, each setting representing an amount of gain or loss to be applied to the transmit and receive signals within the telephone set. The gain settings are selected to limit overall loop gain so as to reduce or eliminate any tendency of the handset to sing at high receive gain levels. Loss inserted into the transmit circuit is removed when user speech is detected in the transmit circuit.

Abstract: An improved caller identity on call waiting unit permits caller identification signals to be received without changing the direct current state of a customer telephone station. This is accomplished by using a capacitor/inductor circuit with appropriate bypass to accomplish the function of blocking voice band signals to and from the station. Advantageously, such an arrangement avoids the problem of falsely disconnecting calls on hold.

Abstract: A telephone handset interface reduces or eliminates feedback induced singing in a telephone handset/hybrid loop. The interface provides for user selectable volume control settings, each setting representing an amount of gain or loss to be applied to the transmit and receive signals within the telephone set. The gain settings are selected to limit overall loop gain so as to reduce or eliminate any tendency of the handset to sing at high receive gain levels. Loss inserted into the transmit circuit is removed when user speech is detected in the transmit circuit.

Abstract: For use in a processor supervisory circuit, a power-on reset circuit, a method of producing a power-on reset ("RESET") signal and a power supply including the circuit. The circuit includes: (1) an adaptive, nonlinear voltage divider having a voltage input and a voltage output, the divider dividing an unscaled, unregulated voltage received at the voltage input by a factor that varies a function of the unscaled, unregulated voltage to produce a scaled, unregulated voltage at the voltage output and (2) a comparison circuit for comparing the scaled, unregulated voltage with a scaled, regulated voltage to produce the RESET signal when the scaled, regulated voltage exceeds the scaled, unregulated voltage, the divider being adaptive and nonlinear to ensure that the comparison circuit continuously produces the RESET signal when the scaled, regulated voltage exceeds the scaled, unregulated voltage and thereby avoid premature activation of a processor couplable to the power-on reset circuit.

Abstract: For use with a telecommunications network, circuit for, and method of, detecting telephone line status and a telephone instrument embodying the same. The circuit includes: (1) a high-impedance amplifier, couplable to the telecommunications network, for providing DC voltage representing a differential line voltage between tip and ring conductors of the telecommunications network and (2) a pulse-generation circuit, coupled to an output of the amplifier, for generating a signal having first and second states, the signal assuming the second state for a period of time inversely proportional to the differential line voltage between the tip and ring conductors.

Abstract: A circuit for, and method of, reducing cross-coupled interference between first and second telephone lines of a multi-line telephone instrument and a telephone instrument containing the same. The circuit includes: (1) a first differential input amplifier having first tip and ring inputs coupled to conductors of the first telephone line and first tip and ring shunt resistors coupling the first tip and ring inputs to a signal reference of the telephone instrument and (2) a second differential input amplifier having second tip and ring inputs coupled to conductors of the second telephone line and second tip and ring shunt resistors coupling the second tip and ring inputs to the signal reference, the first and second tip and ring shunt resistors decreasing a common mode input resistance of the first and second differential input amplifiers, thereby attenuating cross-coupled interference common to both of the first and second telephone lines.