Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC

Charter Communications Operating, LLC

Roger Graham Stafford

Chris Cholas

Peter Stern

David Claussen

Charles Ivan Cook

Edward P Galt, Iii

Matthew Petersen

Dean Osborne

Matt Petersen

Eduardo Cardona

John Williams

Kevin Kwasny

Christopher Cholas

Apparatus and methods for optimizing bandwidth utilization and services in a data network infrastructure. In one embodiment, the data network is a managed Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) cable network, and the network infrastructure is configured to enable dynamic allocate of frequency bands to individual consumer premises device (e.g., DOCSIS-compliant cable modems). In one variant, the improved network infrastructure enables creation of virtual Service Groups (vSGs), and allocation of individual ones of the CM to such vSGs, to some degree irrespective of topological or 'hardwired' location within the network. The allocations can be dynamic, and based on factors such as load balancing, evacuation of portions of the physical network topology (such as to support infrastructure upgrades or replacement), or for yet other reasons such as relating to subscriber tier or service level agreement (SLA).

Apparatus and methods for optimizing capacity in wireline cable networks with virtual service groups

A method, performed by a node, of provisioning a plurality of cable modems connected to the node, the method including: recording a respective transmit power level for each cable modem of the plurality of cable modems; determining a first set of the plurality of cable modems that can be allocated to a specified frequency band available for upstream communications according to an aggregation of the transmit power levels of the first set of the plurality of cable modems; and provisioning each cable modem of the first set to use at least a portion of the specified frequency.

Docsis radio frequency (RF) leakage management

A network includes a centralized power and signal distribution device deployed at a communication closet at a site. The centralized device includes a switch controller connected to a direct current power supply. The network includes at least one customer premises termination device connected to the switch controller, an access apparatus deployed at each of the multiple customer premises, and a power over cable system to carry power and signals. Each access apparatus connected to the at least one customer premises termination device and to provide access to user devices. The switch controller power cycles at least one of the switch controller, the at least one customer premises termination device, or applicable access apparatus in response to a power cycle command from a controller when at least one of the switch controller, the at least one customer premises termination device, or any access apparatus fail to transmit a status signal.

Remote monitoring and power cycling of broadband and wireless devices

Methods and apparatus for determining a desired or optimal location for one or more access points within a premises. In one embodiment, software is provided to wireless-enabled client devices in a user premises; the software enables each of the devices to communicate with one another and collect a plurality of data relating to the connectivity of each at various locations within the premises. The data is used to determine a desired or optimal location for placement of an access point. Once the optimal location is determined, the access point is placed, and the client devices communicate therewith. In one variant, ongoing data may be collected as the system operates to ensure continued optimization. In the instance changes in the topology or environment of the user premises cause significant alterations to the communication signals or connectivity, a new optimal location for the access point may be determined.

Methods and apparatus for access point location

A customer premises device including an optical modem including at least one upstream laser is power controlled to provide one or more reduced power levels of service in response to a detected AC input power failure, and/or in response to control commands, e.g., from an optical line terminal (OLT). The commands control the customer premises device to switch to a reduced power consumption mode of operation. During the reduced power mode one or a few lasers are powered, e.g., on an intermittent but predictable basis. During normal operation mode each of the upstream lasers are powered. One or more receiver circuits are also powered off during reduced power mode operation in some embodiments. A schedule is used in some embodiments to control when one or more upstream lasers and/or receivers are powered. In some embodiments the schedule is determined based on information provided by the OLT.

Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption in optical devices

A method for signal leakage detection includes initializing a leakage probe by providing information about a tone to a plurality of nodes of a network, instructing a first modem connected to a first one of the nodes to generate the tone, instructing a set of the nodes to listen for the tone outside of the network according to the information about the tone, receiving, from the set of nodes, information about a plurality of detections of the tone outside of the network associated with a leakage of the tone from the network, and determining a location of the leakage of the tone from the network using the information about the detections of the tone.

Leakage detection on hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) access networks

An assembly includes a ring frame having first and second open sides and an electrical connector block; a mounting structure to which the ring frame is secured; a plurality of power and signal cable connection points defined on the ring frame; and a plurality of power and signal cables coupled to the power and signal cable connection points and the connector block. First and second covers are secured to the ring frame. Each of the first and second covers is open on one side facing the ring frame and defines a mounting cavity. A plurality of heat-dissipating electronic components are mechanically and thermally coupled to the first and second covers and located in the mounting cavities. The heat-dissipating electronic components are releasably electrically coupled to the electrical connector block.

Modular communications equipment support

Apparatus and methods for enabling location identification and related services in a premises. In one embodiment, location identification services are provided via a gateway device using data extracted from a wireless signal. The data is used to estimate a location of a device (based on comparison to previously gathered and/or reference data). In another embodiment, infrared (IR) or other short range wireless signals are broadcast from the client devices to a set-top-box (STB), and the STB or gateway correlates the signals to a location within the premises. A profiling process is used to establish specific locations within a premises, and associate location-specific services therewith. The location-based services include for example (i) loading particular applications and/or content when the user enters a particular location, (ii) providing information and/or advertisement opportunities when the user is near a particular public or business location, and (iii) content delivery optimization among multiple user devices.

Apparatus and methods for enabling location-based services within a premises

An exemplary apparatus for use in a cable-based network includes passive circuitry coupled with an input of the apparatus and configured to generate an output signal having frequency response characteristics controlled as a function of a value of at least one component in the passive circuitry. The apparatus further includes active circuitry coupled with the input of the apparatus. The active circuitry is configured to generate a message signal indicative of a presence of the apparatus in the cable-based network in response to an interrogation signal supplied to the apparatus.

Addressing and locating in-line coaxial cable devices within customer premises in cable-based networks

An access point receives notification of a bit rate setting specifying a throughput needed to transmit corresponding content to a communication device. Based on the bit rate setting, the wireless access point identifies a set of multiple possible modulation-coding options supporting transmission of data at different bit rates greater than the bit rate setting needed to transmit the corresponding content. The wireless access point selects a respective modulation-coding option that provides a throughput bit rate that is lower than a modulation-coding option in the set providing a highest possible throughput bit rate. Selection of the lower bit rate modulation-coding option provides adequate capacity to transmit the corresponding content, yet does so with a higher signal to noise ratio than would be provided by the higher bit rate modulation-coding option. Subsequent to selection, the wireless access point transmits the corresponding content to the communication device via the selected modulation-coding option.

Growing community of inventors

Broomfield, CO, United States of America

Roger Graham Stafford