Abstract: Remote analysis method and system for Home Phoneline Networks (HPNs), i.e., local area networks made up of telephone wiring in residential premises. In such a network connected to the Internet, a host computer collects measurements of the frequency response of the local network as well as values of addresses and other important network parameters of devices also located on the local network. The results of this data collection, having been sent via the Internet, may be displayed within a web browser on a remote computer external to the local network in a web. This data can then be monitored conveniently by a service technician or the like at any location.

Abstract: Voice services are provided in a network node of a digital networking system. A service signal is provided to at least one user device. One or more voice packets are received from the at least one user device. The one or more voice packets are processed, and transmitted to one or more destinations determined in the packet processing.

Abstract: A shared memory controller is provided for controlling access to a shared memory by a plurality of processors. At least one device includes a storage area for storing a respective address range for each of a plurality of memory regions. The at least one device further includes a permission table containing, for each of the plurality of memory regions, read and write permission data for each of the plurality of processors. A memory fault detector is coupled to the at least one device and has an input for receiving a memory access request including a memory address, a processor identification and a read/write indicator. The memory fault detector includes logic for determining whether a memory access according to the memory access request would conflict with the read and write permission data in the permission table.

Abstract: A system and method, associated with a receiver, for increasing the range or bandwidth of a wireless digital communication network and a receiver incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a service class detector configured to determine a service class of a PDU received by the receiver from the wireless digital communication network and (2) a frame check sequence checker coupled to the service class detector and configured to disregard error-checking information in the PDU when the service class indicates that the PDU is a streaming media PDU.

Abstract: A shared memory controller is provided for controlling access to a shared memory by a plurality of processors. At least one device includes a storage area for storing a respective address range for each of a plurality of memory regions. The at least one device further includes a permission table containing, for each of the plurality of memory regions, read and write permission data for each of the plurality of processors. A memory fault detector is coupled to the at least one device and has an input for receiving a memory access request including a memory address, a processor identification and a read/write indicator. The memory fault detector includes logic for determining whether a memory access according to the memory access request would conflict with the read and write permission data in the permission table.

Abstract: A CPE application automatically detects an intermediate-layer protocol used at a DSL-connection head end and configures the DSL modem driver for that protocol. The application sets the driver to a possible driver protocol and attempts to connect to a head-end server. If a response is received from the head end, then the application reads the headers on the responsive message to determine whether the protocol at the head end is consistent with the protocol that the DSL modem is set to. If so, then the settings are loaded into the driver. If no response is received from the head end, then the application initiates a series of commands to elicit a response from the head end. If the protocol is not consistent or no response is elicited, then the DSL modem is set to another protocol, and the application again attempts to connect to the server at the head end.

Abstract: A method using a combination analog/DSL modem for deploying DSL services is disclosed. A combination analog/DSL modem is utilized at the subscriber premises. A telephone line is tested using the analog portion of the modem. In combination with information provided by the subscriber and records, suitability of the service line for DSL services may be accurately determined. DSL service is then ordered by the subscriber. Preferably, DSL services are deployed on top of the existing analog voice service line allowing service turn-on within a short period of time. The subscriber can have the ability to access a network using the DSL portion of the combination modem. If during modem testing, it is determined that the telephone line would not support DSL service, the subscriber would be informed that DSL service is currently not available for them. However, the subscriber could continue to use the analog portion of the combination modem.

Abstract: Battery life in portable entertainment devices that play fixed-length music or video files (e.g., MP3 music files) is extended by adaptively adjusting the speed of a processor in the device such that only a minimum number of MIPS are performed to playback the music or video files. Slowing the processor clock provides significant savings in power usage. A use profile containing required MIPS for each song may be stored on the device, or use profile information may be inserted into the data stream or embedded within the data file. Power savings occurs on every subsequent replay of the same entertainment data file or data stream by adaptively adjusting the processor clock to the desired speed as determined by the use profile information (plus design margin based on the particular playback device).

Abstract: In a portable electronic device having a data-storage drive that employs a rotatable data-storage carrier, as the data-storage carrier undergoes spin-up and spin-down cycles when the data-storage drive is being accessed, the electronic device recaptures at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the rotating data-storage carrier during the spin-downs to generate electrical currents and use them to either charge the battery or reduce the battery drain.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing registers of a PHY device in a network including an extended protocol software layer between the protocol and application layers, on the one hand, and the MAC driver, on the other hand. The extended protocol layer generates the PHY device register read and write commands and embeds them within standardized Ethernet data packets. The extended PHY device is adapted to distinguish these register read and write command packets from normal data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the commands. Likewise, the extended PHY device embeds the read and write acknowledgments in standardized Ethernet data packets that the extended protocol layer, in turn, can distinguish from normal Ethernet data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the acknowledgments.

Abstract: A data-based software type link integrity module is implemented separately in hardware (e.g., using physical gates, using a microcontroller, etc.) and separated from core CPU functionality in a network device, such that the link integrity module may remain powered in a cold power mode (e.g., when core functionality is powered down). The separately powered data-based link integrity module is powered by an auxiliary backup power source. Thus, when in a power down mode (e.g., when in an ACPI defined D3 type cold state) a minimal power source may be used to power the separate link integrity module separate from the power source to the core network device functionality. The separately powered data-based link integrity module may be redundant to a software driver type data-based link integrity module implemented in core memory and enabled or disabled as desired.

Abstract: A translation system and related method for use with a communications device having a physical layer system and a data link layer system with a media access control layer subsystem and coupleable to a communications network. In one embodiment, the translation system includes a generator that constructs a piggyback packet containing characteristics associated with the physical layer system. The translation system also includes a correlator, coupled to the generator, that receives the piggyback packet and extracts information about the physical layer system. The generator and correlator transmit and receive the piggyback packet without substantially modifying the media access control layer subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method for processing wake-up signals during a sleep mode of a computer in a communications network to wake up sleeping components of the computer. The system includes an extended PHY (physical layer) device for receiving wake-up signals from a network medium, converting the wake-up signals into an additionally-encoded data packet, and generating a standardized wake-up packet based on the additionally-encoded data packet. The system also includes a MAC (media access controller) device, coupled to the extended PHY device, for receiving the standardized wake-up packet and generating a wake-up notification signal in response to the standardized wake-up packet to wake up the sleeping to components of the computer.

Abstract: An application implemented at customer premises equipment automatically detects an intermediate-layer protocol used at the head end of a DSL connection and configures the DSL modem driver for that protocol. The application sets the DSL modem driver to one of the possible intermediate-layer protocols for the type (e.g., WAN or LAN) of driver being used and attempts to connect to a server at the head end. If a response is received from the head end, then the application reads the headers on the responsive message to determine whether the intermediate-layer protocol at the head end is consistent with the intermnediate-layer protocol that the DSL modem is set to. If the intermediate-layer protocols are consistent, then the settings are loaded into the driver. If no response is received from the head end when the application attempts to connect to the server, then the application initiates a series of commands for the purpose of eliciting a response from the head end.

Abstract: An application implemented at customer premises equipment automatically detects the network-layer protocol used at the head end of a DSL connection and configures the DSL modem driver for that protocol. The application sets the DSL modem driver to one of the possible protocols for the type (e.g., WAN or LAN) of driver being used and attempts to connect to a server at the head end. If a response is received from the head end, then the application reads the headers on the responsive message to determine whether the protocol at the head end is consistent with the protocol that the DSL modem is set to. If the protocols are consistent, then the settings are loaded onto the driver. If no response is received from the head end when the application attempts to connect to the server, then the application initiates a series of commands for the purpose of eliciting a response from the head end.

Abstract: A discrete multi-tone communication system having a selected remote end terminal that senses data transmission activity on the discrete multi-tone communication channel. The selected remote end terminal transmits data when no data transmission activity is sensed. The discrete multi-tone system allows a plurality of remote end terminals to be connected together at a node that in turn is connected to the central office.

Abstract: A networking device includes a legacy preamble injector that inserts a legacy preamble based on an indication that a legacy device is coupled to a common network. The legacy preamble injector inserts the legacy preamble if a legacy device is a target device for communication from a network appliance. Alternately, a device may be adapted to output a payload portion at a native rate, for example, if a legacy device is not a target. A Home Phone Line Network Alliance (HomePNA) system includes a telephone line network and a plurality of devices couple to the telephone line network. The plurality of devices may include at least one V2.x device and at least one V1.x device. The at least one V2.x device is adapted to recognize a presence on the telephone line network of at least one V1.x device, and to modify a transmission frame format based on this recognition.

Abstract: Remote analysis method and system for Home Phoneline Networks (HPNs), i.e., local area networks made up of telephone wiring in residential premises. In such a network connected to the Internet, a host computer collects measurements of the frequency response of the local network as well as values of addresses and other important network parameters of devices also located on the local network. The results of this data collection, having been sent via the Internet, may be displayed within a web browser on a remote computer external to the local network in a web. This data can then be monitored conveniently by a service technician or the like at any location.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing registers of a PHY device in a network including an extended protocol software layer between the protocol and application layers, on the one hand, and the MAC driver, on the other hand. The extended protocol layer generates the PHY device register read and write commands and embeds them within standardized Ethernet data packets. The extended PHY device is adapted to distinguish these register read and write command packets from normal data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the commands. Likewise, the extended PHY device embeds the read and write acknowledgments in standardized Ethernet data packets that the extended protocol layer, in turn, can distinguish from normal Ethernet data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the acknowledgments.

Abstract: A system and method for processing wake-up signals during a sleep mode of a computer in a communications network to wake up sleeping components of the computer. The system includes an extended PHY (physical layer) device for receiving wake-up signals from a network medium, converting the wake-up signals into an additionally-encoded data packet, and generating a standardized wake-up packet based on the additionally-encoded data packet. The system also includes a MAC (media access controller) device, coupled to the extended PHY device, for receiving the standardized wake-up packet and generating a wake-up notification signal in response to the standardized wake-up packet to wake up the sleeping to components of the computer.