Abstract: In a voicemail service system having a voicemail mailbox and a caller ID device that are remote from a user of the voicemail service system, there is provided a method for providing caller ID information to the user. A call to the user from another party is received, when a phone of the user is already in use (310). Caller ID information for the call is stored for subsequent playback to the user (320). The storing step may be performed irrespective of whether the other party leaves a voicemail message for the user.

Abstract: A method for initializing an equalizer in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”) receiver includes generating a desired equalizer tap setting based on an adaptive algorithm. An initial setting for the adaptive algorithm corresponds to an approximate inverse of a channel estimate, and the desired tap setting corresponds to an ideal inverse of the channel estimate. In an alternative embodiment, a method includes generating a channel estimate, generating an equalizer tap setting based on a complex conjugate of the estimate and a quantized magnitude squared of the estimate, and repeatedly generating subsequent tap settings until an error falls within limits.

Abstract: A method for creating a secure powerline modem network transmits a private key (y) individually to each of the plurality of powerline modem devices (22) to be secured in a network such that each powerline modem device receives the private key in isolation of the network. Each of the plurality of powerline modem devices store the private key. A public key (X) is computed by a master device (32) in the network to be secured. The public key is transmitted from the master device to the plurality of devices. A shared key (Y) is computed at each of the plurality of powerline devices based on the public key and the private key, and communication within the secured network is performed by employing messages encrypted based on the shared key.

Abstract: In a network system having a plurality of devices communicating via a network, a method and system for providing an emergency signal is provided. In one embodiment, a device is malfunctioning if the device continuously transmits data to the network without proper authorization. Another properly functioning device transmits the emergency signal via an auxiliary channel to the malfunctioning device. The auxiliary channel is a separate channel supporting the transmission of the emergency signal. The malfunctioning device receives the emergency signal and disables itself in response to this signal.

Abstract: A method for creating a secure sub-network on a public network that includes a set of devices. The secure sub-network is to include a subset of devices from among the set of devices. An access card is provided having a first private key comprised thereon. The access card is scanned to determine the first private key, by the subset of devices. A master device is determined from among the subset of devices. A second private key is selected and a public key is computed based on the second private key, by the master device. The second private key is only known to the master device. The public key is sent to the set of devices, by the master device. A shared encryption key is computed, and an encryption is requested of any subsequent messages between any of the devices comprising the subset of devices using the shared encryption key.

Abstract: A method for hierarchically block coding a packet stream includes the steps of appending a packet error correction code to each packet in the packet stream and appending a block error correction code to successive blocks of packets in the packet stream to form a hierarchically error correction coded packet stream. This packet stream is then transmitted through a communications channel. Errors are corrected in each block of packets in response to each block error correction code and errors are corrected in each packet in each block in response to each packet error correction code.

Abstract: A portable security device (10) for setting up secure powerline modem networks is disclosed. The portable security device includes a memory (18) which stores a protocol (19) for communicating with powerline modem devices (e.g., 22), and a socket (14) configured to receive a power cord (23) from a powerline modem device (22). A number assigning device (12 or 16) transmits a private key to powerline modem devices such that the private key is stored in the powerline modem devices and is used to associate a plurality of powerline modem devices and exclude unauthorized powerline modem devices.

Abstract: Synchronization of a powerline modem network (10) with a plurality of devices is provided. A plurality of devices (16 and 18) each include a powerline modem (20) and a clock circuit (22) for synchronizing a data rate. The powerline modem permits data transmission between the plurality of devices over a powerline network on data carriers (28). A synchronization signal is transmitted over the powerline network. The synchronization signal includes a carrier (30) operating at a frequency different from the data carriers. The synchronization signal provides each of the plurality of devices a time reference to synchronize the data rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of clock synchronization of a powerline modem network for a plurality of devices are provided. A plurality of devices are provided having a powerline modem and a clock (100). The powerline modem permits communication between the plurality of devices over a powerline network. A synchronization message is provided over the powerline network (102). The synchronization message includes an instruction for each of the plurality of devices to update their clock in accordance with a clock time provided in the synchronization message (104). A synchronization device may be provided to update device clocks on a powerline network.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Selective Equalizer Tap Initialization in an OFDM System A method for initializing an equalizer in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”) receiver includes inhibiting, based at least in part on (a) an equalizer tap being less than a first limit and (b) a time between OFDM signals being less than a second limit, an initialization of the tap. In an alternative embodiment, a method includes initializing equalizer taps upon startup, re-initializing the taps upon a passage of a predetermined time between OFDM signals, and selectively re-initializing at least one tap upon divergence of the tap. In another alternative embodiment, an apparatus includes an equalizer and a tap initialization controller coupled thereto. The tap initialization controller is configured to inhibit, based at least in part on (a) a tap being less than a first limit and (b) a time between OFDM signals being less than a second limit, an initialization of the tap.