Cable Modem Patents (Class 725/111)
  • Publication number: 20130067525
    Abstract: A cable service provisioning device includes an integrated cable modem to enable a cable provider to send configuration commands. The device includes an input component that receives an input signal from a cable network and an output component that provides an output signal to a customer premises. The device further includes a cable modem configured to receive configuration commands from a cable head end, radio frequency filters configured to selectively pass a portion of the input signal; and a radio frequency switchboard coupled to the input component, the output component, and the one or more radio frequency filters. A processor is coupled to the cable modem and the radio frequency switchboard and is configured to control the radio frequency switchboard to selectively enable or disable individual radio frequency filters in response to the configuration commands received from the cable head end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: PCT International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon-En Wang
  • Patent number: 8397267
    Abstract: In one embodiment, upstream transmission throughput in a cable network is markedly increased by moving up the US/DS frequency split by approximately an order of magnitude to a few hundred MHz. Additional transceivers (carriers) may be implemented to take advantage of the broader spectrum. A block of multiple upstream carriers (FIG. 2A) are associated to form a single logical upstream providing a high-bandwidth, in-order packet stream. The carriers have a common start time (704), pursuant to a single MAP message, and operation synchronously to transmit an upstream transmission frame (250). They may use OFDM or discrete carriers. A convergence layer (350) assembles the data from all of the upstream channels (320,322,324) for presentation to the MAC layer logic (308,310) as a single, serial, high-speed transmission from the CM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Techology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Chapman, Alon Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8379660
    Abstract: In DOCSIS 3.0 a greater level of configuration is possible for cable modems than was available in earlier versions. The CMTS potentially receives many possible configurations from a new CM. The standard does not indicate how the CMTS should configure a CM that can support more than one possible configuration. A CMTS' operator specifies preferences for certain channel configurations. The CMTS evaluates the configuration profiles received from a booting CM and determines the best profile to attempt to accommodate based on the specified preferences. The CMTS determines how to instruct the CM to configure itself based on the available channel resources than can accommodate the selected configuration profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: ARRIS Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol Ansley
  • Patent number: 8381257
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus can be used to prioritize channel scanning. In various implementations, a nonvolatile memory on a CPE device can store downstream channels that a CPE device previously identified as being used by a headend. In some implementations, the nonvolatile memory can be organized or arranged such that DOCSIS 3.0 channels receive preference upon initialization. In other implementations, the selection of the channels from nonvolatile memory can be prioritized to select DOCSIS 3.0 channels over other types of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: ARRIS Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Crisp
  • Patent number: 8380818
    Abstract: An information processing system that includes first and second information processing devices for performing communication through a network, which include a first transmission unit for, in the case of data to be downloaded being selected, transmitting a data download request to the second information processing device along with downloaded data identification information, and third information processing device identification information. A second transmission unit transmits a data download request to the third information processing device identified with the data identification information and the device identification information in response to the download request from the first information processing device, respectively. A third information processing device downloads data through the network from a distribution server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Kinoshita, Hiroyuki Chiba, Takashi Kanao
  • Patent number: 8375415
    Abstract: The present invention is an upstream power control system, within a cable modem which controls the power consumption of the cable modem. The power control system comprises a MAC chip which synchronizes upstream communication signals for transmission to a cable network and outputs an upstream control signal, an upstream amplifier which receives the synchronized upstream communication signals, and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The CPLD controls the upstream amplifier in response to the upstream control signal such that the upstream amplifier is powered on during transmission of the communication signals, and powered off when not transmitting, which results in the reduction of power consumed by the cable modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Waight, Yucheng Jin, Kevin T. Chang
  • Patent number: 8370889
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling a switched digital video (SDV) client to intelligently generate and transmit reverse request in a SDV system. In this manner, reverse channel traffic is reduced. During rapid channel changes using the up and down keys on a remote control, the SDV client waits a predetermined amount of time before generating a reverse request that is subsequently transmitted upstream to a headend server. By way of example, changing broadcasted channels quickly will not generate a reverse request until the predetermined amount of time is over. In the event that a changed channel is an SDV session, a program select request is immediately generated in order to begin receiving the SDV session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kanthimathi Gayatri Sukumar, Balaprakash Sivaprakasam, L. Gnanendra Satish, Jason C. Osborne
  • Patent number: 8365237
    Abstract: Method of bidirectional Time Division Duplex (TDD) data transmission over the same RF frequency ranges of a CATV cable system. The system's slave modem clocks are time synchronized to the master clock of a master modem. The master-to-slave signal propagation times are determined and used to precisely schedule transmissions with de-minimize guard times. The frequency range may be chosen to be in the high frequency CATV range around 1 GHz to maximize backward compatibility with legacy systems, and this frequency may in turn be subdivided into multiple frequencies. In some embodiments, the CATV cable tree may be further partitioned into multiple TDD domains, and multiple local master modems, connected by a special-use optical fiber, may communicate with multiple local slave modems. The system may use MAP allocation schemes that may frequently reallocate TDD time slots and frequencies according to current or projected slave modem data needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Selim Shlomo Rakib
  • Patent number: 8359624
    Abstract: A processor for a cable television set-top box has an interface for coupling the processor to a second processor. The processor also has a port that is coupleable to control a tuner, a demodulator and a DOCSIS module with or without DSG support. The tuner has an output coupled to the demodulator input, and the demodulator has an output to the DOCSIS module input. The demodulator's output is also coupled to a conditional access module controlled by the second processor. The processor issues commands via the port to control at least one of the tuner and the demodulator based on instructions received via the interface from the second processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Weimin Feng, Paul McGlynn, David Leo Lwin, David Martin Erickson, Haisong Wang
  • Patent number: 8352662
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a Hot Plug Detect (HPD) function in a portable terminal using High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) are provided. The apparatus includes an HPD unit for generating an HPD signal using an operation voltage of a first modem upon connecting to a display apparatus through an HDMI cable, the first modem for enabling a second modem upon detecting the HPD signal, and the second modem for outputting video data upon being enabled by the first modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ha-Jung Yun, Hae-Jun An, Tae-Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 8352995
    Abstract: A cable television diagnostic method for a cable television network sends a polling message to a plurality of television set top boxes from a cable television headend; wherein the polling message instructs the cable television set top boxes to obtain at least one operational parameter of each of the television set top boxes; receiving a plurality of response messages from the cable television set top boxes, each containing the at least one operational parameter; determining that one of the operational parameters is outside of a specified range of values; and aggregating the operational parameters of the plurality of set top boxes to determine if the same operational parameter is outside the range of specified values for more than the one of the television set top boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Aran London Sadja, Eric James Holcomb, Leo M. Pedlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8340625
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for transmitting wireless data across a coaxial cable. In one aspect, a set of computer-readable media provides a method that includes receiving a request from a mobile device for data and transmitting the data across a coaxial cable to a cable modem. The method further includes sending the data to the mobile device through a base station, wherein the base station communicates with the cable modem in order to receive the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Harold Johnson, Timothy Euler
  • Patent number: 8332911
    Abstract: A device, such as a cable modem or embedded media terminal adaptor that attempts to obtain unauthorized network services, is designated by head end equipment, such as a CMTS, as being a ‘rogue’ device. Upon an initial range request from the rogue device, the CMTS responds with a continuing range command. Upon receiving each periodic range request transmitted from the rogue device during a periodic station maintenance opportunity, the CMTS responds with another continuing range command. Thus, the rogue device does not ever establish connection with the CMTS because an ACK message is not received back from the CMTS. Moreover, use of CMTS resources for processing request from rogue devices is minimized because the rogue device does not reinitialize its MAC after a predetermined period of time, which it would do if a periodic ranging opportunity was not scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ARRIS Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J Howe, Alan Doucette
  • Patent number: 8332901
    Abstract: Apparatus for establishing a packet-based connection between a video display equipment (such as a set-top box) having an analog modem and a remote computer. The translation apparatus receives a connection initiation request from the video display apparatus and responsive to the connection initiation request establishes a modem connection with the video display apparatus. The translation apparatus further receives communication data from the video display apparatus via the modem connection and transmits the communication data to the remote computing apparatus via a packet-based network. The translation apparatus can also receive communication data from the remote computer and relay the same to the video display apparatus. The connection can be established upon powering up of the video display apparatus, upon loading of an Interactive TV application or upon other pre-determined event. The connection can be maintained “always-on” or substantially “always-on”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: BCE Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Joseph Mangione, Frank Siu Hong Chan
  • Publication number: 20120291084
    Abstract: Distributed and highly software reconfigurable CMTS (CMRTS) device, based on MAC and PHY units with FPGA and DSP components, for a HFC CATV network. The various CATV RF modulators, such as QAM modulators, may be divided between QAM modulators located at the cable plant, and remote QAM modulators ideally located at the fiber nodes. A basic set of CATV QAM data waveforms may optionally be transmitted to the nodes using a first fiber, and a second set of IP/on-demand data may be transmitted to the nodes using an alternate fiber or alternate fiber frequency, and optionally using other protocols such as Ethernet protocols. The nodes will extract the data specific to each neighborhood and inject this data into unused QAM channels, thus achieving improved data transmission rates through finer granularity. A computerized “virtual shelf” control system for managing and reconfiguring the FPGA and DSP based CMTRS units is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Shlomo Selim Rakib
  • Publication number: 20120291083
    Abstract: A file server delivers media files in unicast mode to a media gateway device in response to user requests, and a FCAST/NORM media streamer delivers a stream of these media files in multicast mode to the media gateway device. By using a file server operating in unicast mode and a FCAST/NORM media streamer delivering a stream of these media files in multicast mode, it is possible to switch seamlessly between the two modes in an embodiment. In an embodiment of the invention, a media gateway device includes a cache memory for storing media files from the file server and/or the FCAST/NORM media streamer; and a controller that controls delivery of media files from the cache memory to the user and transmits user requests for media files to the file server when the cache memory does not contain the media files requested by the user. Thus, the controller requests media files from the file server only when the media files requested by the user are not cached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. White
  • Patent number: 8311412
    Abstract: Distributed CMTS device for a HFC CATV network serving multiple neighborhoods by multiple individual cables, in which the QAM modulators that provide data for the individual cables are divided between QAM modulators located at the cable plant, and remote QAM modulators ideally located at the fiber nodes. A basic set of CATV QAM data waveforms may be transmitted to the nodes using a first fiber, and a second set of IP/on-demand data may be transmitted to the nodes using an alternate fiber or alternate fiber frequency, and optionally other protocols such as Ethernet protocols. The nodes will extract the data specific to each neighborhood and inject this data into unused QAM channels, thus achieving improved data transmission rates through finer granularity. A computerized “virtual shelf” control system for this system is also disclosed. The system has high backward compatibility, and can be configured to mimic a conventional cable plant CMTS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Selim Shlomo Rakib
  • Patent number: 8311189
    Abstract: A computing device is configured to receive an incoming communication from another computing device. The incoming communication may be for purpose of initiating a voice-exchange session. In response to receiving the incoming call, the computing device may identify or determine a message identifier of the other computing device. The message identifier is determined based at least in part on data provided with the incoming communication. The computing device may programmatically address a message to the other computing device using the message identifier determined from the incoming communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Champlin, Srikiran Prasad, Lang Chen, Rajan Ranga, Robert Haitani
  • Publication number: 20120284765
    Abstract: Digital data associated with recorded programs are uploaded to a Head End facility from user devices (e.g., set-top boxes) in a media distribution network. The Head End facility stores a library of the Digital Video Recording (DVR) assets for programs and makes them available, by streaming, to user devices, including user devices that do not have DVR capability. Techniques are also provided to efficiently upload a DVR asset simultaneously in segments or chunks from multiple user devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Raynald Killick, Nadine Guillaume, Vivek Srivastav
  • Patent number: 8285890
    Abstract: A host device, a point of deployment (POD), and a method for recognizing an operation mode are disclosed. The host device interfaces with a point of deployment (POD), and includes an interface unit and a controller. The interface unit includes CD1#, CD2#, VS1#, VS2#, VPP1, VPP2, and IPDET ports. The controller outputs a mode confirmation signal to the POD via the IPDET port, and identifies that the POD supports an Internet Protocol (IP) Card M-Mode when the mode confirmation signal has been applied to the VS1# and VS2# ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Cha, Kwang Hun Kwon, Sung Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 8285891
    Abstract: A host device, POD (point of deployment) and a method of identifying an operation mode are disclosed, by which data received via internet can be processed. The present invention includes an interface unit including CD#1, CD#2 , VS1#, VS2#, VPP1, VPP2 and IPDET ports and a controller controlling a mode confirmation signal to be outputted to the POD via the IPDET port, the controller recognizing that the POD supports an IP (internet protocol) card M-mode if the outputted mode confirmation signal is inputted to the VS1# port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Cha, Kwang Hun Kwon, Sung Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 8254277
    Abstract: A method of providing internet protocol television (IPTV) diagnostics. The method includes receiving customer premise equipment (CPE) information from a diagnostic applications program interface (API) executing in a CPE. The CPE information is stored in a database. An issue is detected with the CPE and the CPE information in the database corresponding to the CPE experiencing the issue is accessed. The issue is resolved in response to the CPE information the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jacklyn A. Mickle, Michael W. Smith, James Chilton
  • Patent number: 8254385
    Abstract: A first device communicates with subscriber devices in an access network. A communication is sent from a subscriber device to the first device requesting that the subscriber device be permitted to join a multicast group associated with data for a desired content. After determining that the subscriber device is authorized to receive that content, the first device sends one or more multicast signaling communications to a second device. The multicast signaling communications instruct the second device to join the requested multicast group and provide an identifier associated with that multicast group. After joining the multicast group and receiving content data packets of that group, the second device encapsulates those received packets in frames according to an access network media access control (MAC) protocol and forwards the MAC frames to the subscriber device. The MAC frames include the identifier provided to the second device by the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Brian E. Field
  • Patent number: 8254413
    Abstract: Systems and methods for concatenating messages in MoCA devices that are connected via a coax network are provided. One embodiment of a system according to the invention includes a home network having a plurality of nodes. The network is implemented over coaxial cable. The network includes a plurality of networked nodes. A transmitter of at least one of the networked nodes is configurable to transmit a concatenated burst. The concatenated burst includes a preamble, a first payload frame and a second payload frame. The first payload frame and the second payload frame are separated by a cyclic prefix of a first symbol of the second payload frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Avraham Kliger, Philippe Klein, Yitshak Ohana
  • Patent number: 8254404
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a network gateway is configured to facilitate on line and off line bi-directional communication between a number of near end data and telephony devices with far end data termination devices via a hybrid fiber coaxial network and a cable modem termination system. The described network gateway combines a QAM receiver, a transmitter, a DOCSIS MAC, a CPU, a voice and audio processor, an Ethernet MAC, and a USB controller to provide high performance and robust operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore F. Rabenko, David Hartman, James C. H. Thi
  • Publication number: 20120204216
    Abstract: As described herein, a gateway device may include one or more expansion ports to add functionality. The added functionality can be of any desired type, such as adding telephone call routing capabilities, or high-definition radio capabilities. The added functionality can include new wireless communication abilities, such as adding Bluetooth capability, and the combination may allow greater networked communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Connelly, Michael Cook, Jim Poder, Daniel Herscovici, Hari Venkatram Pedaprolu
  • Patent number: 8239907
    Abstract: Inserting protocol adaptation layers into access equipment to translate data over cable service interface specification services control messages to the corresponding messages in the other (multiple) heterogeneous access specification(s) includes AMTS DOCSIS-to-access protocol translation and AMTS access-to-DOCSIS protocol translation. A method of expanding DOCSIS into an alternative access network includes deploying a protocol adaptation layer in access equipment to translate DOCSIS control messages to corresponding messages for use in the alternative access network. Translating DOCSIS control messages to corresponding messages for use in the alternative access network includes AMTS DOCSIS-to-access protocol translation and AMTS access-to-DOCSIS protocol translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aurora Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleh Sniezko, Thomas Fong, Vladimir Bronstein
  • Patent number: 8238450
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an artificial noise (AN) controller coupled to a digital subscriber line (DSL) transmitter and configured to adjust an AN level for a signal transmitted by the DSL transmitter, wherein the AN level is adjusted based on an actual signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the signal from the receiver to achieve a desired SNR for the signal. Also disclosed is a method comprising maintaining a data rate in a line at about a desired level by adjusting an AN level in a transmitted signal based on a SNR of a received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Gupta, Amir H. Fazlollahi, Guozhu Long, Ying Li, Raphael Jean Cendrillon
  • Patent number: 8233382
    Abstract: A cable modem termination system (CMTS) provides for ordered switchover of the cable modems it serves when a primary module of the CMTS fails. When the primary module in the CMTS fails, a backup module takes over service of the cable modems. The backup module restores the service flows of the cable modems based on a restoration order determined by session recovery priorities that are related to quality of service levels required by the service flows. In particular, service flows that are engaged in VoIP “911” calls are restored first. Service flows engaged in other VoIP calls are next restored. Lastly, service flows engaged in regular data sessions are restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Nurettin Burcak Beser
  • Patent number: 8230470
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a full duplex wideband communications system for a local (e.g. in-home) coaxial network. The system employs a Frequency-division duplex (FDD) scheme that allows identical wideband modems to communicate with each other. To achieve this, the wideband modems contain a duplexer and a switch that allows reversing the connection of the wideband transmitter and receiver to the duplexer. Each wideband modem includes a control modem that is used to control access to the wideband channels. A wideband transmitter, which may be included in a modem associated with a server set-top terminal (STT), transmits a video presentation to a wideband receiver, which may be included in a modem associated with a client STT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventors: Neil C. Robertson, Jose M. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8229348
    Abstract: A ground station multiplexes audio digital data of a plurality of audio broadcasts, GUI data, and download audio data and transmits the multiplexed signal to a receiving side through a satellite. The receiving side displays a GUI screen corresponding to an audio broadcast. When a music information selection command is input on the display screen, an audio broadcast of a music program corresponding to the music information is selected. When a music information download command is input on the display screen, download audio data corresponding to the music information is output. The download audio data is stored to a storage device so as to download audio data corresponding to a desired music title.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tadaharu Koga, Satoko Nakatsuka, Yasushi Kikuta
  • Patent number: 8224936
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a router is configured to relay a provisioning request originating from a remote network device to a remote provisioning server. When the router receives back a provisioning response including provisioning information identifying a first remotely stored configuration file, the router is configured to modify the provisioning information such that the modified provisioning information no longer identifies the first remotely stored configuration file. The router then relays the provisioning reply, which may identify a second different configuration file, to the remote network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ford, Steve Lee
  • Patent number: 8223859
    Abstract: A multi-tone modem with shared and discrete components forming a transmit path and a receive path configured to couple to a wired communication medium to communicate at least one multi-tone modulated communication channel thereon. The modem includes a multi-tone modulator component and a configurable frequency up converter component. The multi-tone modulator component is configured for multi-tone modulation and demodulation of a transmitted and received communication channel at a base band frequency range. The configurable frequency up converter component is coupled to the multi-tone modulator to selectably up convert the frequency range of the transmitted base band signal from the multi-tone modulator to that of a selected communication band and down convert received signals from the selected communication band to the base band for demodulation by the multi-tone modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ikanos Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Heidari, Sivannarayana Nagireddi, Sigurd Schelstraete, Avadhani Shridhar
  • Patent number: 8205225
    Abstract: A TV transmitter, a TV transmitting method, a TV receiver and a TV receiving method allowing users to find and choose desired programs through the use of a program guide displayed by graphical user interface (GUI). The TV transmitter comprises a signal generation unit for generating text data signals associated with TV broadcast programs and hyper text data signals corresponding to the text data signals, a multiplexer for multiplexing the text data signals and the hyper text data signals onto video signals of the TV broadcast programs to provide a multiplexed TV broadcast signal, and an output unit for outputting the multiplexed TV broadcast signal provided by the multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Nishioka, Takaaki Enomoto, Jun Ota, Chisato Kisanuki
  • Patent number: 8201207
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for managing upstream channels on a per cable modem basis. In certain embodiments, one or more thresholds are defined for each of a plurality of upstream logical channels of a headend system for receiving data from a plurality of cable modems (or other types of access nodes). Each defined threshold corresponds to a measurable parameter of the corresponding upstream logical channel. One or more metrics are collected for each cable modem of each upstream logical channel. It is determined whether to downgrade a selected cable modem to a selected one of the logical channels that has a lower performance level than the selected cable modem's current logical channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. An, Hui Sun, De Fu Li, Keil Brewer, John J. Downey, Chrisanto D. Leano
  • Publication number: 20120131617
    Abstract: TV signal distribution system which includes a programmable filter device which receives the TV signal and is connected to the end-user TV via an interface device, the interconnections between the devices being made by coaxial cables and a programming unit being connected via the interface device to the coaxial network. Method for programming a programmable filter device in a TV signal distribution system, including the steps of providing an interface device in the coaxial network, connecting a programming unit to the interface device and exchanging communication signals between the programming unit and the programmable filter device over the interface device and the coaxial network, for programming the filter circuit device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: UNITRON
    Inventors: Roel Pesschessone, Koen Dereu, Petr Boukal
  • Patent number: 8179883
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for delivering Internet Protocol (IP) content within a system that includes a bypass architecture, using a Session Encapsulation Information Database (SEIDB). Within an existing PacketCable Multimedia (PCMM) framework used as a control plane for IP content bypass flow setup, the SEIDB system stores session bypass encapsulation information for IP content bypass flows within the system. Within the SEIDB, each entry of bypass encapsulation information has a flow classifier component that uniquely identifies a bypass flow in a manner that allows both a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and the IP content source to uniquely identify the bypass flow at the SEIDB. Initially, the CMTS gathers bypass encapsulation information and uploads it to the SEIDB. Before the bypass flow begins, the IP content source obtains the necessary bypass encapsulation information from the SEIDB, e.g., using a flow classifier as a search filter item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Qi Bao, David Flanagan, Gerald R Joyce, Michael W Patrick
  • Patent number: 8181211
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a modem and a conditioning device can be provided and coupled at a signal transmission line of a CATV system at a premise of a user according to embodiments of the application. The apparatus can provide selected information (e.g., Table 1) upstream for use that can improve operations or increase capabilities at one or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Olson, David Kelma, Joseph Lai, Noah Montena, Steven K. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8165096
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding MAP information elements (MAP IEs) in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame, even when the received downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) MAP message cyclic redundancy check (CRC) fails, may be provided. By continuing to parse the MAP IEs in the MAP message despite a CRC failure in the MAP message or a data burst, the packet error rate may be reduced, and the wireless system throughput may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Tom Chin, Kuo-chun Lee
  • Patent number: 8155024
    Abstract: A system and method can manage network connectivity of a customer premises equipment (CPE) using a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The CMTS connects to the CPE via a cable modem, and connects to a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server via a network. The CMTS includes a connection unit that is operable to inform the CPE to request the DHCP server to get a new internet protocol (IP) address when the cable modem changes a radio frequency (RF) channel to different IP domains, and control the CPE to communicate with the CMTS according to the new IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lu-Meng Hsu, Yew-Min Lo
  • Patent number: 8149847
    Abstract: A method of initializing, provisioning, and managing a cable modem and a customer premise equipment device includes sending a customized configuration file to the cable modem. The configuration file contains service provisioning information and further includes information indicative of a network address type for the customer premise equipment device. A message is passed from the cable modem to the customer premise equipment device indicative of the network address type. The customer premise equipment device is provided with a network address in accordance with the network address type indicated in the message. In this way, the customer premise equipment device knows what kind of address to obtain, and excessive transactions are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Pak Siripunkaw, John Jason Brzozowski, Srinivas Avirneni, Emery J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20120079547
    Abstract: A set-top box or other network interface device incorporates functionality for distributing multimedia signals to multiple televisions or other terminal devices within a residence or other facility. In one aspect, the network interface device comprises a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, first network interface circuitry for receiving multimedia signals from an access network, and second network interface circuitry for communicating over a local network with a plurality of terminal devices. The network interface device is operative under control of the processor to deliver selected ones of the multimedia signals to the terminal devices responsive to control commands received from the terminal devices. The memory of the network interface device stores a connection management table indicating for each of the terminal devices at least a selected one of the multimedia signals and status information for that terminal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Seong-Hwan Kim, Sundar Vedantham
  • Patent number: 8141121
    Abstract: A communication system for distributing information via a network to one or more subscribers includes a multi-port switch, one or more radio frequency (RF) modems coupled to respective ports of the switch, a combiner and a transmitter. The switch forwards source information to the RF modems based on address information. Each RF modem modulates and up converts information from the switch to an RF signal within a respective subscriber channel of the television broadcast spectrum. Each channel is assigned to one or more subscribers, and each subscriber is allocated unshared bandwidth. The combiner combines modulated information from each RF modem into a combined signal and the transmitter transmits the combined signal to the subscribers via the network. Each subscriber destination includes a gateway device or the like that is tuned to a corresponding channel to retrieve source information from that channel, and to deliver the information to the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: David M. Pangrac, Donald T. Gell, Steven W. Rose
  • Publication number: 20120066724
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing wireless coverage such as WiMAX or LTE coverage via a wired network are provided. For example, systems and methods are discussed in which a Cable TV (“CATV”) network, Direct Broadcasting Satellite (“DBS”) and/or Passive Optical Network (PON) are used in order to deliver the native wireless signals into the buildings or an area in which wireless coverage is desired, where a small Consumer Premise Device is used to transmit and receive the signals to and from the wireless devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ALVARION LTD.
    Inventor: Mordechai ZUSSMAN
  • Patent number: 8136141
    Abstract: A method performed by a central network device, such as a network edge device, or a CMTS, determines whether some of a plurality of user devices coupled to a communication device are transmitting at substantially their respective maximum power output level over a given channel. If the central device determines that some of the devices are operating at near their maximum output level (“power pegged,) the central device searches for another channel that can carry the traffic of the power pegged devices at reduced data rate. If another channel can accommodate transmission of signals of the power pegged device, the central device instructs the power pegged devices to tune to the new channel at a reduced data rate compared to the data rate of the current channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: ARRIS Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ayham Al-Banna, Tom Cloonan
  • Patent number: 8130651
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a hybrid fiber network (HFN) means to identify a fiber node by a unique address. An addressing module is installed in proximity to, or collocated with, a fiber node. The addressing module comprises an addressing module identifier that associates the addressing module with a particular fiber node. Network parameter values are received from the fiber node by the addressing module and reported to a reporting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pierce Williams, Kenneth Gould
  • Publication number: 20120047545
    Abstract: Methods and systems to detect topographic fraud are provided herein. The system includes a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to periodically poll active cable modems and generate polling data. The system also includes a processor and a memory coupled to the CMTS. The processor is configured to, based on instructions in the memory, periodically determine a current geographic location for each polled cable modem based on the polling data from the CMTS, determine a geographic radius within which each polled cable modem is to be operated in and determine cable modems whose current geographic location is outside of their geographic radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CSC Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael SELLERS, Robert Zito
  • Patent number: 8117279
    Abstract: A system and method permits a network management agent executing on a customer premise equipment (CPE) component to determine whether a router is coupled between the CPE component and the cable modem through which the CPE component communicates with a data-over-cable network. The network management agent executing on the CPE component encapsulates the MAC address of the CPE component in a network management message that is sent to a server at the head end of the data-over-cable network. The head end compares the encapsulated MAC address with the MAC address of the device coupled to the cable modem that sent the network management message. If the MAC addresses are not the same, the server at the head end sets a router status element in the network management message response and sends it to the agent executing on the CPE component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Suresh W. G. Kumar
  • Patent number: 8111711
    Abstract: In one example, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) sends first bandwidth allocation messages to a first upstream transmit interface on a cable modem and send second bandwidth allocation messages to a second upstream transmit interface on the cable modem. The bandwidth allocation messages indicate transmit windows for the cable modem to range over the interfaces. The transmit windows included in the first bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the second upstream transmit interface, and the transmit windows included in the second bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the first upstream transmit interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: DeFu Li, Pawel Sowinski, Robert Goguen, Tong Liu, Alon Bernstein
  • Publication number: 20120030724
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for detecting hacked modems in a cable network system. A cable Internet service provider can provide the disclosed heuristic to determine whether a particular cable modem has likely been hacked by obtaining a score corresponding to this likelihood. This score, as well as information regarding failure and success of various tests, can be used to generate a report identifying the likelihood that various modems have been hacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Joe Godas, John Pomeroy, Brian Daniels