Abstract: A user recovers and records multiple programs communicated simultaneously using a communications channel, e.g., QAM communications channel. The simultaneous communication may be by communicating, e.g., an MPEG-2 transport stream including data corresponding to multiple programs through a corresponding to QAM communications channel. Thus a user device, e.g., a set top box, is able to receive and record programs corresponding to multiple simultaneously broadcast programs using a single tuner. This allows a device to receive and record or display more programs at any given time, than the number of QAM tuners and/or receivers in the user device. Novel user interface features which facilitate a user's ability to identify and record multiple programs corresponding to a QAM channel are also described. Methods and apparatus for determining program to communication channel mappings based on user program recordation information are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network. An edge server in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network maintains a list of preferred content providers (PCPs). For each PCP, the PCP list comprises matching criteria. The edge server monitors the header of incoming packets for the matching criteria. A packet that matches the matching criteria is modified by the edge server causing the packet to be associated with a “premium” downstream service flow. Packets sent in response to a “preferred” packet are parsed by a cable modem and routed upstream according to a “premium” upstream service flow.

Abstract: A system and method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network. A dynamic TFTP (DTFTP) server and a CMTS manage the provisioning of devices in a cable network. The DTFTP server and the CMTS share common provisioning parameters. A provisioning parameter has a name and a value. When changes are made in the value of a provisioning parameter that is also used by a CMTSs supported by that DTFTP server, the DTFTP server securely communicates the new provisioning parameter values to each such CMTS. In one embodiment of the present invention, the DTFTP server pushes the new provisioning parameter values to the CMTSs. In another embodiment of the present invention, a poller pulls the provisioning parameters from the DTFTP server to a central datastore where changes in provisioning parameters used by the CMTSs supported by the DTFTP are identified. The changed provisioning parameter values are pushed from the central datastore to the CMTSs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for thwarting denial of service attacks originating in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network (DCN) are described. A DCN comprises one or more sub-networks each comprising an access network, one or more cable modem termination systems (CMTSs) and one or more cable modems (CMs). The DCN also accesses an edge server and a local DNS cache server. The DCN interfaces with the Internet and accesses a remote DNS server according to well-known protocols. The CMTS is adapted to compare the source IP address included in IP packet headers to the IP address of the customer premises equipment (CPE) from which the IP packet originates as assigned by the DNS. Data packets that have spoofed addresses are either deleted or quarantined. Packets reaching the edge server are evaluated by an attack detection system. A packet determined to be part of a denial of service attack is inspected and the source IP address and the destination IP address extracted.

Abstract: The detection of devices with duplicate media access controller (MAC) addresses in a cable network may be accomplished by reference to a value indicative of a DOCSIS version supported by the device or by reference to a having a MAC address/giaddr pair. Where a version value is used, the detection of devices having duplicate MAC addresses looks for changes in the reported version value from a higher version to a lower version. Where MAC address/giaddr pairs are used, a centralized storage of historical cable modem MAC address/giaddr pair data is used to identify cable modems (CM's) that report duplicate MAC addresses. If duplication is detected, an appropriate remedial response is taken.

Abstract: A system and method for managing e-mail traffic originating from a specific IP address. An outbound e-mail message is routed to an e-mail governor where the IP address of the computer from which outbound e-mail message originated is determined. A record associated with the originating IP address is created in a datatstore. Metrics useful to determine an e-mail message rate and an e-mail byte rate are stored in the e-mail record. An e-mail message rate is determined and compared with an e-mail message rate threshold. If the e-mail message rate threshold is exceeded, the originating IP address is sending spam e-mail (spam) and redial action is taken. An e-mail byte rate is also determined and compared with an e-mail byte rate threshold. If the e-mail byte rate threshold is exceeded, the originating IP address is using excess network resources to send e-mail and redial action is taken.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods and systems for blocking unauthorized access to cable modem configuration files stored on trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) servers. Filenames are modified by the DHCP to incorporate an authentication key (and optional cloaking) prior to transmission to the cable modem. When the TFTP server receives a modified filename, it also generates an authentication key. The authentication keys must match in order for the cable modem to receive the configuration file requested. At a minimum, authentication keys depend upon the un-modified filename, the cable modem IP address and a “coordination pass phrase” known to the TFTP server and DHCP server, but not known to the cable modem. Variations include optional cloaking, various actions performed for non-matching authentication keys, selection of authentication key generating algorithm and inclusion of cable modem MAC address in the authentication key for all cable modems or for premium service customer cable modems.

Abstract: The detection of devices with duplicate media access controller (MAC) addresses in a cable network. A cable modem (CM) having a MAC address is connected by the cable network to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) having a gateway interface address. A centralized storage of historical cable modem MAC address/giaddr pair data is used to identify cable modems (CM's) that report duplicate MAC addresses. A server tracks the CM MAC address/giaddr pair data of all CM requests that it receives and stores the MAC address/giaddr pair data into a datastore (such as a database). When a CM seeks to access the network, the server looks into the datastore to determine whether the CM MAC address of the CM has previously been stored with a different associated giaddr, which would imply that there are multiple CMs attached to different CMTSs where the CMs share the same MAC address. If such duplication is detected, a appropriate remedial response is taken.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assigning physical channels in a content-based network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network having a plurality of cable modems, and the physical channels are assigned to the cable modems based at least in part on any multicast transmissions that may exist on the system. When two cable modems are receiving the same multicast transmission, the invention causes tuning of one or more of the cable modems to the same physical channel in order to limit the total number multicast transmissions on the network. Multicast transmissions typically comprise video or audio information, but other types of information may also be multicast according to the invention. In another embodiment, a multicast transmission list (containing a list of multicast transmissions and the corresponding physical channels) is sent to the set of cable modems. This list is used by the modems (or associated CPE) to manage channel allocation and tuning.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficiently and flexibly providing caption data (e.g., closed captioning) to subscribers of a content-based network, such as for example Internet protocol television (IPTV) subscribers. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a server performing real-time extraction and encapsulation of caption data, transport of caption data to client devices over the network, and use of one or more applications running on the client devices to decode and display the caption data consistent with the multimedia (audio/video) content with which it is associated. In one variant, instant messaging (IM) infrastructure is used to authenticate clients and receive and display the caption data via a separate transport process. Server and client-side apparatus adapted for caption data receipt, decoding and display are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficiently and flexibly providing emergency alert data (e.g., EAS messages) to subscribers of a content-based network, such as for example Internet protocol television (IPTV) subscribers. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a server performing real-time receipt and encapsulation of the EAS data (which may comprise audio, video, and/or text), transport of the EAS data to client devices over the network, and use of one or more applications running on the client devices to decode and display/present the EAS data in a manner which effectively guarantees that it will be perceived by the viewer. In one variant, instant messaging (IM) infrastructure is used to authenticate clients and receive and display at least portion of the EAS data via a separate transport process. Server and client-side apparatus adapted for EAS data receipt, decoding and display are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting on-demand content services, using conventional non-IP based VOD servers are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention, through the use of a protocol converter and/or a content redirector, can be used to enable a conventional VOD server to supply content to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device which supports IP based content delivery and/or RSTP control of content delivery. The protocol converter of the invention can be implemented as an RTSP-ISA PROXY. The RTSP Proxy converts messages between RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) to the appropriate ISA protocol signal or another protocol format. The proxy module handles the conversion between these formats and converts a received signal, e.g. message, into the format required by the device which responds by implementing the operation requested by the signal.

Abstract: A system and method for determining if DOCSIS-enabled devices (DEDs) connected to an HFC cable network are co-located. Subscriber account data is acquired to determine the DEDs associated with a subscriber account. The MAC address of the DEC is used to obtain the MAC domain to which a DED is assigned and the ranging offset value associated with the DED. An alert is issued if multiple DEDs associated with a subscriber account are associated with different MAC domains. The alert signifies that DEDs associated with the account are not co-located. Where DEDs associated with an account are associated with the same MAC domain, the normalized ranging offset values associated with the subscriber's DEDs are compared to determine if the difference in their values exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the difference in their values exceeds a predetermined threshold, an alert is issued. The alert again signifies that DEDs associated with the account are not co-located.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating communication between a CMTS and an application sever in a cable network. Customer premises equipment (CPE) generates packets that are sent through a cable modem (CM) to a cable modem termination system (CMTS). A packet is parsed by CMTS and the destination IP address and port number compared to the destination IP addresses/port tuples received by the CMTS from a datastore. A packet that is directed to an IP address/port tuple on the target list (a “service request packet”) is modified to incorporate CMTS-identifying information and subscriber-identifying information in the packet header. When the application server communicates with the CMTS to reserve the network resources, the application server provides the CMTS the CM MAC and CM IP addresses to facilitate resource allocation, subscriber identification and billing.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a digital video recorder on a cable network. Signaling associated with the answering or initiation of a digital telephone call by a digital telephone subscriber is used to issue commands to a digital video recorder (DVR). A signal is generated by an MTA when the telephone is enters an “off-hook” state and sent to the DVR to initiate recording of a program being viewed by the called party. When the phone goes “on-hook”, the called party resumes watching the program from exactly where it was interrupted. The MTA may be connected directly to the VTD/DVR and the telephone state is determined by the DVR from information provided by the MTA. Alternatively, a soft switch monitors signaling from the MTA indicative of the state of the called telephone. A telephone state message comprising the telephone state information is then sent over an out-of-band channel/path to a DVR client within the VTD. The DVR client uses the telephone state information to control a DVR.

Abstract: A system and method for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network. An edge server in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network maintains a list of preferred content providers (PCPs). For each PCP, the PCP list comprises matching criteria. The edge server monitors the header of incoming packets for the matching criteria. A packet that matches the matching criteria is modified by the edge server causing the packet to be associated with a “premium” downstream service flow. Packets sent in response to a “preferred” packet are parsed by a cable modem and routed upstream according to a “premium” upstream service flow.

Abstract: A method for resistance welding first and second sheet metal elements together by placing a copper shunt between and in contact with a first sheet metal element and a third sheet metal element, the third sheet metal element being spaced apart from and connected to the first sheet metal element. Then placing a second sheet metal element in contact with the first sheet metal element along an interface between the first and second sheet metal elements and pressing a first electrode against the second sheet metal element, pressing a second electrode against the first sheet metal element, and passing a welding current between the electrodes through the copper shunt and welding the first and second sheet metal elements together along the interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for thwarting denial of service attacks originating in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network (DCN) are described. A DCN comprises one or more sub-networks each comprising an access network, one or more cable modem termination systems (CMTSs) and one or more cable modems (CMs). The DCN also accesses an edge server and a local DNS cache server. The DCN interfaces with the Internet and accesses a remote DNS server according to well-known protocols. The CMTS is adapted to compare the source IP address included in IP packet headers to the IP address of the customer premises equipment (CPE) from which the IP packet originates as assigned by the DNS. Data packets that have spoofed addresses are either deleted or quarantined. Packets reaching the edge server are evaluated by an attack detection system. A packet determined to be part of a denial of service attack is inspected and the source IP address and the destination IP address extracted.

Abstract: A basesheet for use in an aircraft gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes a plurality of basesheet segments extending between longitudinally extending spaced apart basesheet leading and trailing edges, respectively, of the basesheet. Right and left hand basesheet side edges, respectively, extend longitudinally between the basesheet leading and trailing edges. Each basesheet segment has a panel body defined between a pair of segment side edges longitudinally extending between segment leading and trailing edges, respectively. Stiffeners having leading and trailing edge ribs at the segment leading and trailing edges of aft and forward ones of the basesheet segments, respectively, extend widthwise across the panel body between the segment side edges. The leading and trailing edge ribs are joined together only at intermediate sections of the stiffeners which are centered between left and right hand expansion sections, respectively, of the stiffener.

Abstract: The detection of devices with duplicate media access controller (MAC) addresses in a cable network. A cable network device (CND) having a MAC address is connected by the cable network to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) having a gateway interface address. A centralized storage of historical cable modem MAC address/giaddr tuple data is used to identify CNDs that report duplicate MAC addresses. The cable network tracks the CND MAC address/giaddr tuple data of all CND requests that it receives and stores the MAC address/giaddr tuple data into a datastore (such as a database). When a CND seeks to access the network, the cable network looks into the datastore to determine whether the CND MAC address of the CND has previously been stored with a different associated giaddr, which would imply that there are multiple CNDs attached to different CMTSs where the CNDs share the same MAC address. If such duplication is detected, an appropriate remedial response is taken.