Abstract: Upstream data handling in a digital Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) passive optical network (DPON). Embodiments include receiving at a headend, in an upstream path over an optical network, a plurality of digitized and serialized DPON upstream packets respectively distributed in a time division multiplexed fashion, wherein each DPON upstream packet includes a header, a trailer and a payload, monitoring the optical network for energy in the upstream path, including energy associated with a header and a trailer of respective DPON upstream packets, controlling a bit stuffer that adds bits to the upstream path to (1) stop adding bits to the upstream path when energy is detected in the upstream path and (2) resume adding bits to the upstream path after an end of a trailer of a given DPON upstream packet has been detected, and removing the header and the trailer of the respective DPON upstream packets.

Abstract: Multiplexing of information from a plurality of information flows into fixed-length packets such as, but not limited to, MPEG packets allows efficient utilization of bandwidth and also can be used to reduce transmission latency. In addition, utilizing MPEG packets and transport streams for octet multiplexing allows the packets carrying octet-multiplexed data to easily be integrated with other MPEG packets for other services that are commonly found in cable transmission networks of all coax, hybrid fiber coax, and/or all fiber. The multiplexing/demultiplexing of octets using MPEG packets generally is described by mappings that specify the use of octets in MPEG packets. Changes to allocations in a map generally should be propagated in a way that reliably ensures that both the transmitter and receiver have a consistent view of the octet mappings.

Abstract: Upstream data handling in a digital Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) passive optical network (DPON). Embodiments include receiving at a headend, in an upstream path over an optical network, a plurality of digitized and serialized DPON upstream packets respectively distributed in a time division multiplexed fashion, wherein each DPON upstream packet includes a header, a trailer and a payload, monitoring the optical network for energy in the upstream path, including energy associated with a header and a trailer of respective DPON upstream packets, controlling a bit stuffer that adds bits to the upstream path to (1) stop adding bits to the upstream path when energy is detected in the upstream path and (2) resume adding bits to the upstream path after an end of a trailer of a given DPON upstream packet has been detected, and removing the header and the trailer of the respective DPON upstream packets.

Abstract: Multiplexing of information from a plurality of information flows into fixed-length packets such as, but not limited to, MPEG packets allows efficient utilization of bandwidth and also can be used to reduce transmission latency. In addition, utilizing MPEG packets and transport streams for octet multiplexing allows the packets carrying octet-multiplexed data to easily be integrated with other MPEG packets for other services that are commonly found in cable transmission networks of all coax, hybrid fiber coax, and/or all fiber. The multiplexing/demultiplexing of octets using MPEG packets generally is described by mappings that specify the use of octets in MPEG packets. Changes to allocations in a map generally should be propagated in a way that reliably ensures that both the transmitter and receiver have a consistent view of the octet mappings.

Abstract: Multiplexing of information from a plurality of information flows into fixed-length packets such as, but not limited to, MPEG packets allows efficient utilization of bandwidth and also can be used to reduce transmission latency. In addition, utilizing MPEG packets and transport streams for octet multiplexing allows the packets carrying octet-multiplexed data to easily be integrated with other MPEG packets for other services that are commonly found in cable transmission networks of all coax, hybrid fiber coax, and/or all fiber. Moreover, the multiplexing techniques described herein will work in both wired (or constrained media) and wireless (or free-space propagation) environments. The multiplexing/demultiplexing of octets using MPEG packets generally is described by mappings that specify the use of octets in MPEG packets. Changes to allocations in a map generally should be propagated in a way that reliably ensures that both the transmitter and receiver have a consistent view of the octet mappings.

Abstract: A low cost white noise generator. An oscillator provides a signal to an analog-to-digital (AID) converter for digitizing. A bit-order reversal circuit reverses the order of the received bits, wherein the reversal circuit provides bits having an order ranging from LSB to MSB. A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter subsequently converts the reversed digital signal back to an analog signal, which is a white noise signal due to the random nature of reversing the bits provided by the A/D converter.

Abstract: Multiplexing of information from a plurality of information flows into fixed-length packets such as, but not limited to, MPEG packets allows efficient utilization of bandwidth and also can be used to reduce transmission latency. In addition, utilizing MPEG packets and transport streams for octet multiplexing allows the packets carrying octet-multiplexed data to easily be integrated with other MPEG packets for other services that are commonly found in cable transmission networks of all coax, hybrid fiber coax, and/or all fiber. Moreover, the multiplexing techniques described herein will work in both wired (or constrained media) and wireless (or free-space propagation) environments. The multiplexing/demultiplexing of octets using MPEG packets generally is described by mappings that specify the use of octets in MPEG packets. Changes to allocations in a map generally should be propagated in a way that reliably ensures that both the transmitter and receiver have a consistent view of the octet mappings.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a carrier signal that is included in the reverse signals of a communications system. The present invention uses an improved apparatus that determines the average power of the reverse signals during a predetermined counting cycle. The average power is then compared to a threshold power value. If the average power exceeds the threshold power value, an enable signal is provided to allow further transmission of the reverse signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for detecting a reverse carrier signal. The present invention utilizes a peak detector/envelope filter for determining the peak level of the reverse analog waveform. The peak level is compared to a threshold level during a predetermined time period to determine the presence of a valid reverse carrier signal. Once determined, an enable signal is provided to an electronics device that allows further transmission of the reverse signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for detecting a reverse carrier signal. The present invention utilizes a peak detector/envelope filter for determining the peak level of the reverse analog waveform. The peak level is compared to a threshold level during a predetermined time period to determine the presence of a valid reverse carrier signal. Once determined, an enable signal is provided to an electronics device that allows further transmission of the reverse signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a carrier signal that is included in the reverse signals of a communications system. The present invention uses an improved apparatus that determines the average power of the reverse signals during a predetermined counting cycle. The average power is then compared to a threshold power value. If the average power exceeds the threshold power value, an enable signal is provided to allow further transmission of the reverse signals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a low cost white noise generator. An oscillator provides a signal to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for digitizing. A bit-order reversal circuit reverses the order of the received bits, wherein the reversal circuit provides bits having an order ranging from LSB to MSB. A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter subsequently converts the reversed digital signal back to an analog signal, which is a white noise signal due to the random nature of reversing the bits provided by the A/D converter.

Abstract: A price verifier which is smaller in size than existing price verifiers and which includes additional features which provide enhanced functionality and ease of use. The price verifier includes a bar code reader for reading a bar code label on an item whose price is to be verified. Control circuitry obtains the price of the scanned item from a host terminal. A display displays the price of the item. The price verifier supports multiple communications protocols, including wireless RF. Additionally, the price verifier may be programmed by reading programming bar code labels or by downloading program commands from the host terminal.