Abstract: A system and method for implementing dynamic end-to-end loss compensation in a VoIP communication system is provided. The invention utilizes standard signaling protocol to accommodate for the characteristics of various call endpoints, and in particular, provides for an SDP parameter that conveys terminal characteristics between endpoints of a VoIP connection.

Abstract: An access point device operating within a wireless local area network (WLAN) includes a network interface operable to facilitate communication with a network operator over an IP network. The network operator is located outside of a range of the WLAN. The access point device also includes a wireless network interface operable to facilitate communication between the access point device and a user device. The access point device further includes a processor operable to gather a first performance metric associated with the access point device and receive a second performance metric gathered by the user device in response to an instruction from the access point device to gather the second performance metric. The processor may facilitate transmission of the first and second performance metrics over the IP network to the network operator.

Abstract: A system obtains a plurality of locations respectively associated with a plurality of mobile devices that are in communication with the stationary access device. For each of the plurality of mobile devices, the system obtains a relative distance metric associated with that mobile device. Based on the plurality of locations and the relative distance metric, the computes a relative location of the stationary access device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for presenting information associated with a packet-switched telephony call received over a broadband communications network. The method includes receiving a packet-switched telephony call that includes an incoming machine-readable text string incorporated in a signal that conforms to a packet-switched telephony signaling protocol. The incoming machine-readable text string is translated to a predefined corresponding text string that represents the machine-readable text string in a human-readable language. Finally, the corresponding text string is presented to an end user. The aforementioned method may be performed by a residential gateway or the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing analog loss to an information-bearing signal being transmitted to or from end-user terminal equipment over a communication system such as a cable network The method begins by establishing a communication path to the terminal equipment over the communication system and then introducing a level of loss into the communication path to reduce echo. The level of loss that is introduced is based on the information content of the information-bearing signal.

Abstract: A method for configuring an access device that is coupled to an Internet Protocol network enables the access device to apply a desired signal to an access line, which signal is requested by a local exchange. Upon receiving a V5 protocol message from the local exchange requesting the desired signal to be applied to the access line, a voice gateway or Internet Protocol Access Terminal maps the V5 protocol message into a text message in NCS format containing one or more parameters associated with the desired signal and sends the text message to the access device over the Internet Protocol network. Upon receipt of the text message, the access device or media access terminal adjusts its configuration in accordance with the received text message using the one or more parameters included in the text message and one or more default values stored in a management information base accessible to the access device that defines the desired signal.

Abstract: System (100) and method for providing power supply status indications and network-originated messages on a user device interface (104) of a user device (102) coupled to an access device (110). The access device (110) receives a supply of main power from a main power supply (204), and the access device (110) is adapted to interface with a communications network (111). A backup power supply (206) is coupled to the access device (110) and is adapted to supply backup power to the access device (110) when the supply of main power (214) fails. The backup power supply (206) provides a signal indicating a power condition of the backup power supply (206) when the supply of main power (214) fails. A processor unit (208) receives the signal and generates a backup power supply status indication in response to the signal. At least one user device (102) is coupled to the access device (110) and also is adapted to receive and/or transmit information over the communications network (111) via the access unit (110).

Abstract: A programmable access point (110) has a line driver (201), sensors (202), comparator and control logic (203), a power supply (206), and a backup power supply (207). The line driver (201) provides power and communications signals to attached customer equipment and receives its power from either the power supply (206) or the backup power supply (207). The power supplies (206, 207) generate power supply status signals which include a signal indicating whether line driver (201) is receiving power from the power supply (206) or the backup power supply (207) and a signal indicating the reserve capacity of the backup power supply (207). The sensors (202) monitor the power output by the line driver (201). The comparator and control logic (203) receives the power supply status signals and the monitored power output values and generates a control value for line driver (201) which it provides to the line driver (201) which modifies its output responsive to the control value.

Abstract: A method and/or device that may be used in locations where equipotential bonding is not practiced can be installed on a customer premises equipment device basis that provides over-voltage protection between the AC main and HFC ground planes. According to one aspect of the present invention, a bonding link is established between the AC main and the HFC coaxial braid that allows energy surges to bypass the CPE equipment and to be passed on to the AC mains, which are traditionally more equipped to deal with these large energy surges. According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed that may be incorporated into any premises powered HFC CPE device for protection. The apparatus provides a surge energy bypass path around the CPE device being protected and allow voltage differentials to be normalized between systems.

Abstract: A method for configuring an access device that is coupled to an Internet Protocol network enables the access device to apply a desired signal to an access line, which signal is requested by a local exchange. Upon receiving a V5 protocol message from the local exchange requesting the desired signal to be applied to the access line, a voice gateway or Internet Protocol Access Terminal maps the V5 protocol message into a text message in NCS format containing one or more parameters associated with the desired signal and sends the text message to the access device over the Internet Protocol network. Upon receipt of the text message, the access device or media access terminal adjusts its configuration in accordance with the received text message using the one or more parameters included in the text message and one or more default values stored in a management information base accessible to the access device that defines the desired signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing analog loss to an information-bearing signal being transmitted to or from end-user terminal equipment over a communication system such as a cable network The method begins by establishing a communication path to the terminal equipment over the communication system and then introducing a level of loss into the communication path to reduce echo. The level of loss that is introduced is based on the information content of the information-bearing signal.

Abstract: A method and/or device that may be used in locations where equipotential bonding is not practiced can be installed on a customer premises equipment device basis that provides over-voltage protection between the AC main and HFC ground planes. According to one aspect of the present invention, a bonding link is established between the AC main and the HFC coaxial braid that allows energy surges to bypass the CPE equipment and to be passed on to the AC mains, which are traditionally more equipped to deal with these large energy surges. According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed that may be incorporated into any premises powered HFC CPE device for protection. The apparatus provides a surge energy bypass path around the CPE device being protected and allow voltage differentials to be normalized between systems.

Abstract: Power supplies (116) for cable access units (110) have associated backup power supplies (120) and generate one or more power supply status indications for said backup power supplies (120). Cable access units (110) monitor and retain the generated power supply status indications. An operator unit (102) communicates periodically with the cable access units (110) to ascertain the power supply status indications. If any power supply status indications indicate an alarm condition, the operator unit (102) can display an indication of the alarm condition and the identity of the cable access unit reporting the alarm condition. Alternatively, if the number of reported alarm conditions equals or exceeds a service area alarm threshold, the operator unit (102) can display a service area alarm in lieu of displaying any individual alarms.

Abstract: System (100) and method for providing power supply status indications and network-originated messages on a user device interface (104) of a user device (102) coupled to an access device (110). The access device (110) receives a supply of main power from a main power supply (204), and the access device (110) is adapted to interface with a communications network (111). A backup power supply (206) is coupled to the access device (110) and is adapted to supply backup power to the access device (110) when the supply of main power (214) fails. The backup power supply (206) provides a signal indicating a power condition of the backup power supply (206) when the supply of main power (214) fails. A processor unit (208) receives the signal and generates a backup power supply status indication in response to the signal. At least one user device (102) is coupled to the access device (110) and also is adapted to receive and/or transmit information over the communications network (111) via the access unit (110).

Abstract: A programmable access point (110) has a line driver (201), sensors (202), comparator and control logic (203), a power supply (206), and a backup power supply (207). The line driver (201) provides power and communications signals to attached customer equipment and receives its power from either the power supply (206) or the backup power supply (207). The power supplies (206, 207) generate power supply status signals which include a signal indicating whether line driver (201) is receiving power from the power supply (206) or the backup power supply (207) and a signal indicating the reserve capacity of the backup power supply (207). The sensors (202) monitor the power output by the line driver (201). The comparator and control logic (203) receives the power supply status signals and the monitored power output values and generates a control value for line driver (201) which it provides to the line driver (201) which modifies its output responsive to the control value.

Abstract: An access device with an internet lock out feature for “always on” WAN to LAN connections is provided. The access device includes a high speed data port adapted to be connected to an internet and voice service connection. A data port logic transfer layer is connected between the high speed data port and at least one access device local port. A voice service layer is connected to the high speed data port. A user activated switch is provided having a first state in which the data port logic transfer layer is active, and a second state in which the data port logic transfer layer connection to the high speed data port is disabled and the voice service layer remains active.

Abstract: A network element (14) receives a traffic data stream having an embedded in-band signaling pattern. The network element (14) synchronizes to the traffic data stream and detects the location of the in-band signaling pattern. The network element (14) then replaces the in-band signaling pattern with a noise-mitigating signaling pattern.

Abstract: A cable system (10) has a plurality of CAUs (34) coupled to a variety of network devices (58-68) in the subscriber's premise (36). The network devices (58-68) transmit signals to the CAU (34) in a clear frequency (100). The signals are coupled to a filter (70) which blocks any ingress noise from the premise (36). The filter (70) is coupled to a mixer (76), which down converts the signals from the clear frequency (100) to a desired frequency (104). Upstream signals in a bypass band (102) are coupled from the network devices to a low pass filter (72). The signals are then combined with the downconverted signals and transmitted into the cable system (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling power consumption and access to telephone channels (36) in a cable telephony system (10). The system (10) has two subsystems for limiting power and access, one, when a telephone (40) is waiting to receive a call and a second when a subscriber wants to place a call. The telephone (40) is usually waiting for a telephone call. The first subsystem reduces power consumption by having a transceiver (114) for the telephone (40) only monitor for incoming calls periodically and turns off the transceiver (114) when not monitoring for calls. The second subsystem, limits system power consumption and access to channels (36) by only allowing loop current and access to channels (36) when a channel (36) is available for use. These two subsystems reduce the system power consumption and regulate the access to the telephone channels (36).