Abstract: A system for increasing bandwidth to a communication device, comprising: a packet scheduler; and a transmitter; the system configured to operate the packet scheduler to schedule packets of a service flow onto multiple media access control (MAC) channels forming a MAC channel group before operating the transmitter to send the scheduled packets from an origination device toward a destination device, the packet scheduler waiting a maximum group cross channel skew time for an out-of sequence packet, the maximum group cross channel skew time a maximum of multiple pair cross channel skew times, one pair cross channel skew time associated with each pair grouping of MAC channels configured to be formed from the MAC channel group; and the system configured with a setting to allow only a single channel of the multiple channels of the MAC channel group to carry DOCSIS messages, and to override the setting to share at least some of the channels of the MAC channel group among multiple cable modems while the MAC channel gr

Abstract: A communication protocol specification is divided into subsets of parameters based on patterns established by equipment vendors. A combination of subsets is selected based on parameters and features supported by particular network devices installed in a network. A user interface facilitates convenient creation or modification of a configuration file, which instructs a network device how to format a communication message and what information is to be contained therein. After the configuration file is loaded into a device, it controls software switches in the device such that features and parameters corresponding to the parameters selected with the user interface and controlled by the switches are either enabled or disable based on the parameters selected. Supported parameter combinations for popular equipment may be prestored so that selection with the interface of a particular piece of equipment automatically edits the configuration file according to the features and parameters supported by said equipment.

Abstract: A communication protocol specification is divided into subsets of parameters based on patterns established by equipment vendors. A combination of subsets is selected based on parameters and features supported by particular network devices installed in a network. A user interface facilitates convenient creation or modification of a configuration file, which instructs a network device how to format a communication message and what information is to be contained therein. After the configuration file is loaded into a device, it controls software switches in the device such that features and parameters corresponding to the parameters selected with the user interface and controlled by the switches are either enabled or disable based on the parameters selected. Supported parameter combinations for popular equipment may be prestored so that selection with the interface of a particular piece of equipment automatically edits the configuration file according to the features and parameters supported by said equipment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enabling non-IP-encapsulated videos to be received at subscriber premises and displayed on IP playback devices are provided. A terminal adapter receives a non-IP-encapsulated video at a subscriber premise and transcodes the video to a format that can be processed by the IP playback device. The terminal adapter IP-encapsulates the transcoded video and then routes the IP-encapsulated video to the IP playback device. In this way, the processing to convert non-IP-encapsulated videos stored on video servers is not concentrated at a central location but instead distributed across subscriber premises. Furthermore, congestion on the downstream link can be reduced because videos in a video server are not required to be transmitted downstream under two different schemes.

Abstract: An integrated user device couples to a user's telephone network, and to multiple service provider networks. A local interface port couples to a local device. When service is transferred from an old provider to a new provider, a message is received at the integrated user device. Processing circuitry in the user device processes the message and causes switching components in the user device to decouple the telephone network from the old service provider's network and to couple to the new provider's network. The message may be received from the new provider's network or from the local interface port. The message may be an SNMP MIB, a ring signal or a command line interface message; delivery may be via DOCSIS, PacketCable, SIP, or other method. The switching processing components may include relay coils in an alternating arrangement coupled to a source node and to separate relay driver pins of a SLIC.

Abstract: Current to a relay causes a telephone to be connected to a SLIC. Following LOOP, a sleep switch opens to interrupt current to the power supply converter after a first predetermined period expires. If the telephone is on-hook, loss of current to the relay causes disconnection from the SLIC, but causes connection to a battery. Current sensed from the battery through an off-hook hook switch generates a current signal. The current signal closes a current switch, which is in parallel with the open sleep switch, thereby providing a current path to the converter. The sleep switch then makes and then the current switch breaks. After awakening, a ring-back signal informs a user that telephony service has been restored and a message may indicate that telephony service is being sought. When the telephone is placed back on-hook, counting of a second predetermined period starts, after which the sleep switch opens again.

Abstract: A SIP proxy server embedded in a cable modem or other SIP user device coupled to a cable modem or similar network interface device processes SIP messages associated with SIP communication sessions. The SIP proxy server instructs a QoS manager client, typically also embedded in the cable modem, to communicate with a corresponding QoS manager client at the CMTS. In response to the instruction from the SIP proxy server, the QoS managers cooperate to establish a requested amount of bandwidth to the SIP session. The amount of bandwidth is typically requested in initial SIP set up messaging.

Abstract: A flow bonder at a CMTS and another at a cable modem distribute packets of a service flow over multiple channels and collect them in the downstream direction respectively; vice versa in the upstream direction. The collector uses a service flow identifier and a sequence number identifier inserted by the distributor into each packet of the flow to reassemble the packets into the order they left the distributor. Packets received at the collector are stored to a buffer. If a stored packet is the next to be transmitted, it is transmitted. If not, the collector waits a predetermined period until the next packet to be sent is received. If it is not received during the wait period, the previously stored packet is sent. The wait period is based on the maximum transmission time difference between any two of the multiple channels.

Abstract: A communication protocol specification is divided into subsets of parameters based on patterns established by equipment vendors. A combination of subsets is selected based on parameters and features supported by particular network devices installed in a network. A user interface facilitates convenient creation or modification of a configuration file, which instructs a network device how to format a communication message and what information is to be contained therein. After the configuration file is loaded into a device, it controls software switches in the device such that features and parameters corresponding to the parameters selected with the user interface and controlled by the switches are either enabled or disable based on the parameters selected. Supported parameter combinations for popular equipment may be prestored so that selection with the interface of a particular piece of equipment automatically edits the configuration file according to the features and parameters supported by said equipment.

Abstract: Current to a relay causes a telephone to be connected to a SLIC. Following LOOP, a sleep switch opens to interrupt current to the power supply converter after a first predetermined period expires. If the telephone is on-hook, loss of current to the relay causes disconnection from the SLIC, but causes connection to a battery.