Abstract: A data structure, method and apparatus providing efficient retrieval of data from a segmented information stream. The invention utilizes a segmented data stream having an initial directory payload portion and a following payload portion including one or more object tables. The directory includes table descriptors associated with each object table including various field indicative of parameters of the respective object table. One of the fields comprises a bit array having at least one bit corresponding to each of the segments in the respective object table. By changing a state of a corresponding bit upon receiving a table segment, the memory and processing resources required to read the segments associated with a table are decreased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in providing real-time, packet-switched service to an end-user over a cable data network. The method begins by transmitting over the cable data network a scheduled grant to an end-user gateway in accordance with an unsolicited grant service protocol. The grant authorizes the end-user gateway to transmit a data packet to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) located in the cable data network. Next, an adjustment is made to the time at which subsequent grants are transmitted. The adjustment, which is based on a response of the end-user gateway, is performed to reduce delay between a time when a subsequent data packet is generated and receipt of the subsequent grant.

Abstract: Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system. A computer or other processor includes a local area network controller, which provides routing and hub(s) for one or more packet networks. The computer also is coupled to a buffer/framer, which serves to frame/deframe data to/from the computer from TDM bus.

Abstract: A communications terminal which is coupled to a local area network and a public switched telephone network includes a first communications device transmitting and receiving an image or a text through the local area network using a first communications procedure and a second communications device transmitting and receiving facsimile image through the public switched telephone network using a second communications procedure. The communications terminal further includes a controller and a memory. The controller performs an information relay operation for relaying an image, sent from a facsimile terminal, to a data terminal. The controller further performs another information relay operation for relaying an image or a text, sent from a data terminal, to a facsimile terminal.

Abstract: A method of incorporating allocations of network access in a DOCSIS 1.0 compliant cable network, wherein users compete for bandwidth, includes limiting bandwidth consumed by a cable modem of a user to a value representative of that user's bandwidth allocation for a time interval. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: (a) generating cable modem configuration files, each of which limits bandwidth consumption by a cable modem of a user to a bandwidth allowance of that user equaling to the respective bandwidth allocation; (b) sending the configuration files to a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) Server of the DOC Network; and (c) sending a command either to each user's cable modem, or to a cable modem termination system to which each user's cable modem is connected, to cause the cable modem to implement the respective new configuration file.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a plurality of time multiplexed cells and a plurality of asynchronous cells in a temporal frame, which consists of first and second subframes, comprises the steps of assigning the time multiplexed cells or clusters of time multiplexed cells interspersed by a first plurality of asynchronous cells to the first frame and assigning a second plurality of asynchronous cells to the second subframe.

Abstract: A method and a system for authenticating an electronic financial transaction conducted between a user owning a terminal and a third party via two-way transmissions between the terminal and a cable distribution hub which includes a validation server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing digital audio data comprises remapping channel status information in an input digital audio bit stream into a uniform format. The channel status information in the uniform format contains a super-set of data included in the channel status block of the original data and comprises a “higher level” form of presentation than the original status information, thereby reducing the amount of processing required by the application program in interpreting the audio data. The translation of audio data between different formats is performed in an interface unit. The interface unit strips the channel status information from the incoming digital audio data, translates the channel status information into a desired form, and then presents the audio data and the translated channel status information to a host computer for further processing or storage. The translation and routing functions performed by the interface unit are controlled by data stored in one or more registers.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiving apparatus that can be installed without regard to the location of the telephone outlet where a signal is received by a front-end, reception data is decoded by an A/V decoder, and a video signal and an audio signal are outputted from a D/A converter. Monitor information has been stored in an IC card and is periodically read into a memory by a CPU. Further, the monitor information is transmitted from the memory to a management system by the control of the CPU through a telephone line. A modem and a slave module of a cordless telephone are connected. The monitor information is transmitted between the slave module and an external master unit in a wireless manner. The monitor information is transmitted from the master unit to the management system through the telephone line.

Abstract: Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system. A computer or other processor includes a local area network controller, which provides routing and hub(s) for one or more packet networks. The computer also is coupled to a buffer/framer, which serves to frame/deframe data to/from the computer from TDM bus.

Abstract: A synchronous serial protocol is used to transfer data from a host processor (102) to multiple CODECs (112) operating at differing speeds and from such CODECs (112) back to the host processor (102) across a bidirectional pair of serial links (134, 136). A link speed fast enough to accommodate all operating CODECs (112) is utilized. Frames are transmitted across the bidirectional pair of serial links (134, 136) controlled by frame sync (132) and bit clock (130) signals. Each frame has a control word of validity bits followed by one data word for each active CODEC (112). The validity bits determine whether the corresponding data word contains valid data for or from the corresponding CODEC (112).

Abstract: A multi-point communications system is set forth herein. The communications system includes a receiver and transmitter disposed at a primary site for communication with a plurality of remote service units disposed at respective secondary sites. The receiver of the primary site receives OFDM/DMT signals over a number of transmission bins. A transmitter at the remote service unit includes an improved transmitter architecture. The transmitter comprises a first circuit for converting a signal into a first serial digital data stream and a second circuit for generating a second serial digital data stream from the first serial digital data stream of the first means. The second serial digital data stream is a digital representation of an OFDM/DMT signal that is to be transmitted to the receiver of the primary site and is generated from the first serial digital data stream through a modulated direct digital synthesis thereof.

Abstract: An integrated adaptive spatial-temporal system and method for controlling narrowband and wideband sources of interference. The system includes an N element antenna array which receives a spread spectrum signal and interference signals, each element receiving a different phase shifted version of the spread spectrum and interference signals; a spatial filter including an antenna pattern former responsive to the antenna array which combines the phase shifted spread spectrum and interference signals according to controlling weights to null N-1 of the interference signal; an adaptive narrow band, e.g., temporal filter, responsive to the spatial filter for filtering any remaining narrowband interference signals from the combined signal; and feedback subsystem responsive to the narrow band filter for adjusting the controlling weights of the antenna pattern former until the operation of the spatial filter is optimized and nulls wideband interference signals before narrowband interference signals.

Abstract: To accommodate the overlay of broadband information over narrowband bearers while reducing cross-talk in upstream and downstream directions, different baseband line codes are used to modulate respective upstream and downstream transmissions on a common wireline communication resource, such as a twisted copper-pair. In this way, filtering components located at each end of a connection can reject cross-talk based upon dissimilar signal characteristics that arise between wanted broadband signals having a first baseband line code and spectrally-shifted cross-talk emanating from interfering broadband signals having a different baseband line code.

Abstract: A wireless power line carrier voice and data communication device is provided. The device permits a user to connect one or more electronic devices to surge suppress and isolated AC power connections while simultaneously providing a communication channel between telephone equipment, such as telephone extensions, modems and/or facsimile machines, across the AC power lines to a remote telephone connection. This invention prevents the degradation of the voice and/or data signal across the power lines that would otherwise be induced by the AC connected electronic equipment. Furthermore, this invention provides a cost effective, convenient solution to the data processing user who requires access to telephone lines, for voice, data or both, as well as AC power outlets for electronic equipment all from a physical location some distance from a convenient phone connector. The isolation and surge suppression circuitry is designed specifically to address the power line carrier environment.

Abstract: The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as synchronous transfer mode, asynchronous transfer mode, and variable length data. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources.

Abstract: A CATV distribution network provides an interface between a cellular communications base station and a plurality of mobile terminals. A head end signal processor disposed at a head end of the CATV network provides a first frequency conversion between a cellular communications radio frequency and the CATV network transmission frequency. A plurality of remote antenna drivers are disposed at the remote end of the CATV network and provide a second frequency conversion between the cellular communications radio frequency and the CATV network transmission frequency. Antennas coupled to the remote antenna drivers provide radio communications with the mobile terminals. The remote antenna drivers are arranged in groups, each group being operated in a simulcast manner. Dynamic range compression of the cellular communications traffic is provided on the upstream path between the mobile terminals and the base station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband conferencing services is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a voice channel over a circuit switched telephone network and a virtual data channel over a packet data network between at least two parties. The apparatus includes a telephone line and a digital data line sharing a single subscriber loop in addition to a system for establishing a virtual data channel over a packet data network. Further, an advanced intelligent network telephone network having a first database of customer premise equipment and a second database having data addresses associated with the customer premise equipment is disclosed.

Abstract: 53 byte length ATM compliant cells are transmitted over a digital optical fiber path to interconnect with a coaxial feeder cable TV system to support two-way digital services at a plurality of sites connected to the TV cable system. At the point of interconnection between the fiber optic path and the cable TV feeder subsystem, digital signals are converted to a UHF rf carrier frequency above the cutoff pass-band of the analog signal feeder amplifier carrying TV broadcast signals. This rf carrier conveys a high data rate digitally modulated signal limited to sections of feeder cable between the cable TV broadcast channel amplifiers. In-house access to this UHF carrier signal is via the normal TV cable tap and drop cable to a SIU, located near the subscriber's TV set. The feeder cable and the passive taps used in cable TV practice have a higher cutoff frequency than the feeder amplifiers themselves. This allows passage of an UHF signal over the feeder cable.

Abstract: A bidirectional or unidirectional information handling system for data exchange and distribution. The system includes a data repository system and a data display system. The systems are linked for data exchange by a broadband channel for unidirectional high data flow rates and, in some embodiments, by a narrowband channel for bidirectional lower data flow rates. The display system may take a number of forms, including personal communications assistants, desktop personal computers, and set top boxes. The data communication channels may be defined by a number of different protocols and bandwidth segments and may be wireline or wireless.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transmitting digital multi-media signals in asynchronous transfer mode over unshielded twisted pair wiring in a multi-point topology in an improved cost-effective manner. The multi-media digital signals originate from and are received by a plurality of receiving stations connected via twisted pair wiring.