William J Blum

US Patent:

6807195, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Sep 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/671096

Inventors:

Richard Moore, Jr. - Harleysville PA
William H. Blum - Harleysville PA
Edward Morgan - Gaithersburg MD
Zoran M. Ladenovic - Bethesda MD
Andrew Allen - Mundelein IL
Michael Konopinski - Huntley IL

Assignee:

General Instrument Corp. - Horsham PA
Telogy Networks, Inc. - Germantown MD

International Classification:

H04J 306

US Classification:

370503, 375222, 375356, 375376

Abstract:

The generation and upstream transmission of voice packets in an HFC network is controlled by including a synchronization circuit in the broadband terminal interface unit. The synchronization circuit is used to generate the timing signals for the codec, DSP and host microprocessor so that as the host microprocessor receives an upstream grant, the remaining components will assemble and forward the packets in synchronization with the grant.

US Patent:

6880170, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Dec 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/473871

Inventors:

Marc W. Kauffman - Fort Washington PA, US
William H. Blum - Harleysville PA, US
Peter Sherlock - Doylestown PA, US
Jay Strater - Doylestown PA, US
M. Lamine Sylla - New Britain PA, US
Charles Eldering - Doylestown PA, US

Assignee:

General Instrument Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04N007/173

US Classification:

725125, 725126, 725127, 725129

Abstract:

The present invention encompasses a method and apparatus for ingress detection and attenuation. When a determination is made that the level of ingress in a return frequency band has exceeded a predetermined threshold, the return path is attenuated or disconnected at a communications gateway device located at or substantially near the subscriber location. By disconnecting the return path or attenuating the return path signal at or near the subscriber location, ingress is reduced and locations which are the cause of severe ingress are effectively isolated. This allows for a high degree of reliability to be maintained on the return path, and insures that critical services like cable telephony can be provided.

US Patent:

6915530, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Jun 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/588587

Inventors:

Marc W. Kauffman - Fort Washington PA, US
William H. Blum - Harleysville PA, US
Peter Sherlock - Doylestown PA, US
Jay Strater - Jamison PA, US
M. Lamine Sylla - New Britain PA, US
Charles Eldering - Doylestown PA, US

Assignee:

General Instrument Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04N007/173

US Classification:

725125, 370480, 455295

Abstract:

The present invention encompasses a method and apparatus for detecting and characterizing one or more ingress events in the return band and creating a time/frequency map based on the detection of the ingress events. The time/frequency map is further characterized by marking frequency bands with ingress level above a predetermined threshold with a “1”. The time/frequency time map may be used to determine when and which return frequency band has exceeded a predetermined threshold, and to distinguish between a narrowband ingress event and a wideband ingress event. When such characterization has been made, the return path may be attenuated or disconnected at a communications gateway device located at or substantially near the subscriber location. By disconnecting the return path or attenuating the return path signal at or near the subscriber location, the ingress may be reduced and locations which are the cause of severe ingress may be effectively isolated. This allows for a high degree of reliability to be maintained on the return path, and ensures that the critical services such cable telephony may be provided with increased customer satisfaction.

US Patent:

7035270, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/752570

Inventors:

Richard Moore, Jr. - Harleysville PA, US
William H. Blum - Harleysville PA, US

Assignee:

General Instrument Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04L 12/28

US Classification:

370401, 370466

Abstract:

A home networking gateway provides an interface between an HFC network and an in-home network. Full voice and data connection between the HFC network and each device in the in-home network is provided through the interface. A translator included in the home networking gateway is utilized to provide a mapping between the communication protocols used in the in-home network and the protocols used in the HFC network, eliminating the need for the in-home network to be dependent upon the HFC-specific protocols.

US Patent:

20030048772, Mar 13, 2003

Filed:

Aug 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/941335

Inventors:

William Blum - Harleysville PA, US

Assignee:

General Instrument Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04L012/64

US Classification:

370/352000, 370/401000, 370/467000

Abstract:

The invention provides a communication system architecture in which a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network utilizing an Internet protocol (IP) through an IP network is connectable to a local digital switch (LDS) within a public switched telephone network (PSTN). An IP digital terminal (IPDT) is provided as the link between the LDS and the IP network. The IPDT serves to translate both signaling and voice data between the two networks.

US Patent:

20030204598, Oct 30, 2003

Filed:

Apr 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/132241

Inventors:

Louis Bifano - Morrisville PA, US
William Blum - Harleysville PA, US
Jeffrey Ollis - Harleysville PA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

709/227000

Abstract:

A system and method for ensuring communication between a subscriber and the proper CMTS in a multiple CMTS system utilizes a user-defined option in the DHCP DISCOVER and OFFER commands used to initialize service. A cable modem that is requesting connection to a CMTS will include a particular, user-defined option in its DISCOVER command. If the receiving DHCP server recognizes the user-defined option, it will send a modified version of the option back to the cable modem in its OFFER command, and the cable modem will establish the interconnection. If the receiving DHCP server does not recognize the user-defined option, it will send a conventional OFFER command back to the cable modem. Since the cable modem will be expecting to receive the modified user-defined option, it will reject the conventional OFFER command, thereby avoiding the connection of the cable modem to the improper cable modem termination system.

US Patent:

20060153214, Jul 13, 2006

Filed:

Feb 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/362655

Inventors:

Richard Moore - Harleysville PA, US
William Blum - Harleysville PA, US

International Classification:

H04L 12/56

US Classification:

370401000

Abstract:

A home networking gateway provides an interface between an HFC network and an in-home network. Full voice and data connection between the HFC network and each device in the in-home network is provided through the interface. A translator included in the home networking gateway is utilized to provide a mapping between the communication protocols used in the in-home network and the protocols used in the HFC network, eliminating the need for the in-home network to be dependent upon the HFC-specific protocols.