Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a connector with integrated power over Ethernet functionality are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits and/or processors that reside within and/or on a connector may be operable to manage a supply power that is delivered over a cable based on characteristics of the connector and/or characteristics of the cable. The cable may carry the supply power while concurrently carrying data communications. The one or more circuits and/or processors may be operable to source and sink the supply power. The one or more circuits and/or processors may be operable to control which one or more conductors of the cable are utilized for conveying the supply power.

Abstract: A system and method for next generation BASE-T communication. Next generation BASE-T devices designed for communication over twisted pair Ethernet cabling are configurable based on the characteristics of the communication channel. In discovering the characteristics of the communication channel, the physical layer device (PHY) can select one of a plurality of operating modes that can support a given data transmission rate (e.g., 10 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s, 100 Gbit/s, 400 Gbit/s, etc.).

Abstract: Physical layer device auto-adjustment based on power over Ethernet (PoE) magnetic heating. In one embodiment, information generated by a PoE module that is indicative of the PoE operation over the network cable (e.g., level of current, heating, etc.) is made available to the physical layer device (PHY). This information enables the PHY to infer a change in the level of inductance on the line. In response, the PHY can then adjust a characteristic of transmission by the PHY.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling energy efficient Ethernet networks with time-sensitive protocols. Time-stamped packets generated by a time-sensitive protocol rely on fixed latency in a transit time through a transmission subsystem. An energy efficiency control policy in a network device governs a transmission of time-stamped packets in accordance with energy efficiency initiatives controlled by the energy efficiency control policy. In one embodiment, time-stamped packets can be dropped or modified to account for transitions by the transmission subsystem into an energy saving state. In another embodiment, transitions by the transmission subsystem into or out of an energy saving state can be impacted by the existence of time-stamped packets scheduled for transmission.

Abstract: A non-intrusive and operational communication system monitoring and diagnostics. Loopback-type testing is facilitated through testing that is split between transmit and receive sections. Transmit testing on a port can be based on test packets that are removed from the transmission path by a PHY upon detection. Receive testing on a port can be based on live traffic packets.

Abstract: A time limit may be determined for energy efficient networking (EEN) sleep intervals based on end-to-end sleep interval limitations. The time limit may be communicated to other network devices which may limit their sleep time. End-to-end sleep interval limitation information may be received via a user input, packet header information, a standardized and/or non-standardized network management protocol, AVB, SRP, RSVP and SNMP. The EEN sleep interval time limit may be determined based on a number of hops between endpoint devices. Packets may be inspected to determine a packet data type and/or end-to-end sleep interval limitation information. The time limit may be determined based on latency requirements of data streams. A time limit for a port may be determined based on sleep time limits for data streams communicated via the port. The time limits may be statically and/or dynamically configured. The network device may be configured via a network management interface.

Abstract: Advertising revenue models applied to geolocation virtual tag infrastructures. In various embodiments, a fee-based activation area is established for delivery and display of a virtual tag that includes advertising information from a merchant or service provider located within the activation area. The advertising virtual tag may be displayed automatically when an appropriately configured device enters the activation area. In other embodiments, the advertising virtual tag is delivered by an advertising server to a mobile device for presentation in conjunction with search results corresponding to a search query received from the mobile device. A poster may select various options (with associated fees) for preferential treatment of the advertising virtual tag. Such options can include, for example, prioritized ranking in a listing of search results or virtual tags, expanded activation range(s), extended time duration for activation, etc.

Abstract: A connector comprising one or more circuits and/or processors is operable to determine characteristics of an attached corresponding connector, an attached cable and/or a channel established via the corresponding connector and/or cable. The characteristics are stored in a register on the connector and/or communicated via a pin connection to a host and/or upstream device. Ganged connectors may communicate via a shared pin. Sensing pins in the connector detect presence of a shield on the cable. Cable diagnostics are run on the attached corresponding connector and cable by a PHY device that may be integrated within the connector. The connector may determine characteristics such as cable length, cable grade, presence of shielding, channel characteristics and/or crosstalk on the attached corresponding connector and/or cable. Based on the determined characteristics, a data rate is determined, transmission parameters are auto-negotiated and/or data may be communicated.

Abstract: A broadband gateway, which enables communication with a plurality of devices, handles at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider. Before allowing the devices to access content from the service provider, the broadband gateway may identify a device power profile for each of the devices, and a network power profile for the content to select a corresponding content delivery mechanism to optimize power consumption. The content may be communicated to the devices utilizing the corresponding selected content delivery mechanism. Depending on configuration, content transcoding may be performed at the broadband gateway and/or at the devices. The content may be burst downloaded and stored in a local storage to be consumed by the devices thereafter. Upon completion of download, the broadband gateway may shut down receiving components to save resources and power. The receiving components may be tuned on to receive additional content when needed.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for network communications via a configurable multi-use Ethernet PHY are provided. In this regard, an Ethernet PHY may be configured based on characteristics of a network link over which the Ethernet PHY communicates, and a rate at which data is conveyed from a MAC to the Ethernet PHY may be controlled via a carrier sense signal of the MII. The carrier sense signal may be controlled based on a rate at which the Ethernet PHY transmits data over the network link. The Ethernet PHY may be configured based on a length of the network link and/or on a grade of the network link, where exemplary grades may comprise Cat-1 through Cat-7a cable. The Ethernet PHY may be configured into one of a plurality of modes comprising an Ethernet over digital subscriber line (DSL) mode, an extended reach mode, and a standard Ethernet mode.

Abstract: A technique in which a tag associated with a target object is sent to a user device to provide information regarding the target object. The tag includes a rating indicator for a recipient of the tag to respond to the rating indicator, in which the rating indicator is used to request a rating of one or more characteristics related to the target object. The rating response is collected with verification information to determine a level of verification of the rating response, in which the verification may include reliability of the rater providing the rating response. The response and level of verification are used to rank the rating response and provide further filtering of the tag related to the target object.

Abstract: Embodiments of a unified communication and control bus architecture for Ethernet and/or PoE systems are provided. Embodiments enable a unified communication and control bus architecture that significantly simplifies communication and control in Ethernet and/or PoE systems. Embodiments enable significant savings both in terms of cost and complexity as the number of communication and control buses is reduced down to one. Embodiments can be used in various Ethernet and/or PoE implementations, including, for example, single PCB-single PoE, single PCB-multiple PoE, chassis-based switch, and stackable-based switch configurations. Further, embodiments can be implemented using standard Ethernet as well as proprietary implementations.

Abstract: Biasing of search query inputs based on local content, device profile and/or activity information. In various embodiments, biasing operations are performed on a search input to a client device in order to improve search result relevancy. The biasing operations produce additional search query elements/context options based on locally-hosted content or other information that may not be readily available to a search engine. The local content may include, for example, images, text, audio/video files, documents, code, applications, social media, etc. One or more of additional search query elements/context options produced by the biasing operations are then utilized in a search query communicated to a search engine. In various alternate embodiments, device activity data extracted from a user's device (such as data generated by device sensors) may likewise be employed to refine search queries. In further embodiments, searching and biasing operations may be performed by an intermediary or proxy device.

Abstract: A technique in which autonomous machine-to-machine interactions are identified, setup and maintained between machines by utilizing a registry that may be searched to identify a registered machine. The search may be for a particular target machine or for content. By identifying a target machine, the registry may provide an address to connect two machines for the two machines to interact, such as the download of content stored on one of the machines.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for processing and delivery of multimedia content by an integrated femtocell and set-top-box device are provided. In this regard, a cellular enabled communication device may communicate its capabilities, preferences, and/or settings to an integrated femtocell and set-top-box device, wherein the integrated femtocell and set-top-box device may processes multimedia content for the cellular enabled communication device based on the capabilities, preferences, and/or settings of the cellular enabled communication device. Additionally, the cellular enabled communication device may receive the processed multimedia content from the integrated femtocell and set-top-box device by the cellular enabled communication device. The capabilities, preferences, and/or settings may comprise multimedia processing capabilities, preferences, and/or settings, communication capabilities, preferences, and/or settings, and/or power conditions, preferences, and/or settings.

Abstract: Biasing of search results based on device profile and activity data. In various embodiments, biasing operations are performed on search results generated in response to a search query received from a client device. The biasing operations are based on device profile data associated with the client device. Such data may indicate media consumption capabilities of the device or other device hardware and software configuration details. In some embodiments, device activity/sensor data may likewise be employed to bias search results. Biasing operations may include, for example, ranking, prioritizing, or filtering search results to favor results that may be consumed by a client device. Translated and/or targeted and supplemental information may also be provided based on device profile data or user profile data. In certain embodiments, searching and biasing operations may be performed by an intermediary or proxy device.

Abstract: An Ethernet passive optical network over coaxial (EPOC) system rate mechanism. A network device is provided that includes a physical layer device (PHY) that is configured for coupling to a coaxial cable, a medium independent interface that facilitates data transmission at 10 Gbit/s or greater, and a reconciliation sublayer that is coupled to the PHY via the medium independent interface. The reconciliation sublayer has a codeword detector that is configured to detect a reserved codeword that is received from the PHY over the medium independent interface. The codeword detector can be configured to forward a rate control signal to a media access control (MAC) based on the detection of the reserved codeword.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for managing power consumption utilizing inter-gateway communication are provided. In this regard, a first broadband gateway residing in a first location may determine past, present, and/or expected power consumption of the first location. The gateway may receive, from one or more other broadband gateways residing in one or more other locations, information that enables determining past, present, and/or expected power consumption of the other location(s). The gateway may control power consumption of the first location by controlling a state of operation of devices residing in the first location. The gateway may determine aggregate power consumption of the first location and the other location(s). The gateway may control power consumption of the first location by enabling operation of one or more devices during periods of lower aggregate power consumption and disabling operation the devices during periods of higher aggregate power consumption.

Abstract: A broadband gateway, which enables communication with a plurality of devices, may be operable to identify an energy efficient certified device from the plurality of devices. The broadband gateway may handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider. Information related to the identified energy efficient certified device, including usage information of the device, may be communicated to one or more entities. The broadband gateway may acquire the usage information of the energy efficient certified device by monitoring whether the device is operating in an energy efficient mode. The broadband gateway may obtain a credit and/or a reward from the one or more entities based on the usage information of the energy efficient certified device. The broadband gateway may deposit the credit and/or the reward to an account associated with the energy efficient certified device.

Abstract: A technique in which an outgoing signal is encoded to have multiple signal levels to modulate a light source, in which respective signal levels are indicative of different signal states of more than one bit. The multi-level signal is transmitted on a passive optical network (PON) having passive splitters to split the modulated light to transmit the light having multiple signal levels to a plurality of destinations via the PON.