Abstract: The present invention provides a facility management platform to monitor and view the status of a plurality of individually addressable downstream devices including, but not limited to, addressable terminals, IRG's, settops, cable modems, taps, nodes, and/or hubs at a network control center. The FMP may display problems at these downstream devices, for example, power loss, and/or may automatically notify the appropriate companies and/or personnel to correct the problem.

Abstract: The present invention provides a facility management platform to monitor and view the status of a plurality of individually addressable downstream devices including, but not limited to, addressable terminals, IRG's, settops, cable modems, taps, nodes, and/or hubs at a network control center. The FMP may display problems at these downstream devices, for example, power loss, and/or may automatically notify the appropriate companies and/or personnel to correct the problem.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. A network service platform (NSP) is coupled to a cable facilities management platform (FMP) for providing services for cable television subscribers as well as telecommunication service subscribers such that an interexchange or telephone company would control the network services to the subscribers. The NSP architectural concept may permit the interexchange or telephone company to be the single service provider of information to subscribers on an equal basis.

Abstract: A system architecture for bypassing a local exchange carrier comprises an intelligent terminal, a residential gateway coupled to the terminal, a cable facility management platform terminating a twisted pair or coaxial cable facility and a network service platform. The twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled intelligent terminal or set-top device provides a plurality of enhanced services. One necessary service is lifeline service that may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway, over the twisted pair facility or via wireless means. The integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including the set top box. Wireless lifeline services may be offered through transceivers placed at the integrated residence gateways and/or at taps feeding the integrated residence gateways.

Abstract: A flat screen videophone has a microprocessor card located behind the video display, and an associated keyboard, and can be supported for convenient use in a variety of locations, such as on a wall, under a cabinet or shelf, or on a desk or counter. Wall-mounted versions suspend the keyboard on an adjustable bracket which holds the keyboard in an oblique use position, or in a storage position flat against the wall below the videophone housing. On under-cabinet versions the bracket-mounted keyboard can be swung behind the housing for storage, while the housing can be slid to the rear for storage, or swung upwardly for storage. Desk-top models have one or more cradles for storing the keyboard flat against the housing. The housing can support peripheral devices, such as a printer, a scanner or a fax machine. Other devices may include a microphone, a camera, a motion sensor, a light sensor, a card reader, a telephone handset, and loudspeakers.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. A network service platform (NSP) is coupled to a cable facilities management platform (FMP) for providing services for cable television subscribers as well as telecommunication service subscribers such that an interexchange or telephone company would control the network services to the subscribers. The NSP architectural concept may permit the interexchange or telephone company to be the single service provider of information to subscribers on an equal basis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing uninterrupted, attenuated RF signal and AC power to downstream multiple port taps, while an upstream multiple port tap is being serviced. A multiple port tap includes a tap housing, an assembly for receiving a main signal from an upstream element and an assembly for outputting the main signal to a downstream element. The tap also includes circuitry that couples the signal receiving assembly to the signal outputting assembly. The tap circuitry used in the tap includes a signal attenuator for maintaining a level predetermined RF signal and AC power level across the tap. A housing cover plate is positioned on the housing for covering the main opening to the housing. The cover plate includes at least one subscriber connection port operatively coupled to the circuitry for delivering a signal to a subscriber. The tap further includes a signal and power bypass having a variable attenuator for coupling to the signal receiving means and signal outputting means.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed set-top device provides a plurality of services, including computerized directory assistance services and identification of the geographic location and set top device from which a directory assistance query has been made. Directory assistance information may be broadcast from a cable head end, or a directory assistance database may be searched, based on a query entered by a user, or both broadcasting and searching may be performed. The search results can be prioritized based on the geographical proximity between locations of the listings in the search results and the location from which the query was entered. The address of the set top device and/or the tap to which the set top device is coupled are used for determining the location from which the query was entered.

Abstract: A sysyem architecture for bypassing a local exchange carrier comprises an intelligent terminal, a residential gateway coupled to the terminal, a cable facility management platform terminating a twisted pair or coaxial cable facility and a network service platform. The twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled intelligent terminal or set-top device provides a plurality of enhanced services. One necessary service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway, over the twisted pair facility or via wirelss means. The integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including the set top box.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. A network service platform (NSP) is coupled to a cable facilities management platform (FNP) for providing services for cable television subscribers as well as telecommunication service subscribers such that an interexchange or telephone company would control the network services to the subscribers. The NSP architectural concept may permit the interexchange or telephone company to be the single service provider of information to subscribers on an equal basis.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box.

Abstract: A facility management platform (FMP) monitors and views the status of a plurality of individually addressable downstream devices including, but not limited to, addressable terminals, IRG's, settops, cable modems, taps, nodes, and/or hubs at a network control center. The FMP may display problems at these downstream devices, for example, power loss, and/or may automatically notify the appropriate companies and/or personnel to correct the problem.

Abstract: A flat screen videophone has a microprocessor card located behind the video display, and an associated keyboard, and can be supported for convenient use in a variety of locations, such as on a wall, under a cabinet or shelf, or on a desk or counter. Wall-mounted versions suspend the keyboard on an adjustable bracket which holds the keyboard in an oblique use position, or in a storage position flat against the wall below the videophone housing. On under-cabinet versions the bracket-mounted keyboard can be swung behind the housing for storage, while the housing can be slid to the rear for storage, or swung upwardly for storage. Desk-top models have one or more cradles for storing the keyboard flat against the housing.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. For corporate telecommuters who work from home, a greater variety of services is available. The greater bandwidth of the cable network allows for the faster exchange of information between home and office, allowing the employee working at home to function as if he or she were actually at the office. Individual pieces of equipment connected to the telecommuter's home may be addressed, so that phone and message forwarding may be properly forwarded to the telecommuter's home.

Abstract: A cordless telephone network for wirelessly linking with a wireless phone. The cordless telephone network may include a plurality of wireless base stations, the base stations preferrably being disposed at customer premises such as private residences and/or businesses. A wireless phone linked to the cordless telephone network may roam between the wireless base stations and/or between the cordless telephone network and any other wireless network such as a conventional cellular phone network.

Abstract: A system architecture for bypassing a local exchange carrier comprises an intelligent terminal, a residential gateway coupled to the terminal, a cable facility management platform terminating a twisted pair or coaxial cable facility and a network service platform. The platform serves both a cable headend and a telephone DSL network to enable a single service provider to provide different information content services independent of how a user actually receives the services. The twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled intelligent terminal or set-top device provides a multiple menu heirarchy for selecting a plurality of enhanced services. The menus are implemented on a video telephone or similar device with a touch-sensitive screen display for interactively displaying video and accompanying audio signals and menu screens.

Abstract: A toolkit for creating customized video announcement messages on video-enabled answering machine. The video-enabled answering machine may have many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.

Abstract: A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. A network service platform is coupled to a cable facilities management platform for storing a subscriber profile, polling the integrated residence gateway for utility, cable television, telecommunications and other service usage and preference data provided in a billing period and generating an electronic bill for the subscriber over the twisted pair/coaxial cable facility for viewing on a visionphone.

Abstract: A toolkit for creating customized video announcement messages on video-enabled answering machine. The video-enabled answering machine may have many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.