Systems and methods for dynamically updating bit loading profile assignments among a plurality of cable modems.

Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Within a regeneration device, regenerate a first input signal having a first timestamp and an inadequate signal-to-noise ratio and bypass a second input signal having a second timestamp and having an adequate signal-to-noise ratio. With a central processing server coupled to the device, obtain, from a delay tracking database, a first delay associated with a first signal path for the first input signal and a second delay associated with a second signal path for the second input signal. With the server, cause to be sent downstream the regenerated first input signal together with the first timestamp and the first delay, and the non-regenerated second input signal together with the second timestamp and the second delay.

Systems and methods for dynamically updating bit loading profile assignments among a plurality of cable modems.

Exchanging encrypted packet payloads between a cable headend and a Remote MACPHY device. A single device executes a cable modem termination system (CMTS) implemented in software and not hardware. The software-implemented CMTS (i.e., a virtual CMTS) instantiates a tunnel to the Remote MACPHY device. The virtual CMTS encrypts the payloads of one or more packets and transmits those packets over the tunnel to the Remote MACPHY device. In similar fashion, the Remote MACPHY device may send packets with encrypted payloads to the virtual CMTS over the tunnel. In this way, encryption is not performed on a hop by hop basis, thereby allowing the payloads of packets to remain encrypted at all times during transmit through the tunnel.

Exchanging encrypted packet payloads between a cable headend and a Remote MACPHY device. A single device executes a cable modem termination system (CTMS) implemented in software and not hardware. The software-implemented CMTS (i.e., a virtual CMTS) instantiates a tunnel to the Remote MACPHY device. The virtual CMTS encrypts the payloads of one or more packets and transmits those packets over the tunnel to the Remote MACPHY device. In similar fashion, the Remote MACPHY device may send packets with encrypted payloads to the virtual CMTS over the tunnel. In this way, encryption is not performed on a hop by hop basis, thereby allowing the payloads of packets to remain encrypted at all times during transmit through the tunnel.

Systems and methods for dynamically updating bit loading profile assignments among a plurality of cable modems.

Within a regeneration device, regenerate a first input signal having a first timestamp and an inadequate signal-to-noise ratio and bypass a second input signal having a second timestamp and having an adequate signal-to-noise ratio. With a central processing server coupled to the device, obtain, from a delay tracking database, a first delay associated with a first signal path for the first input signal and a second delay associated with a second signal path for the second input signal. With the server, cause to be sent downstream the regenerated first input signal together with the first timestamp and the first delay, and the non-regenerated second input signal together with the second timestamp and the second delay.

At least one voice server uses a voice protocol requiring both a server component and a client component. At least one client device lacks the client component. The at least one client device is located in a premises remote from the voice server. A translator device is located in the premises, and a video content network, configured for communication in accordance with the voice protocol, interconnects the voice server and the translator device. A premises network interconnects the translator device and the at least one client device. The premises network is configured in accordance with a premises network protocol. The translator is provided with the client component of the voice protocol and is configured to translate between the voice protocol and the premises network protocol. In some instances, the voice server is a voice mail server and the voice protocol is a voice mail protocol. In other cases, the voice server is a session initiation protocol (SIP) server and the voice protocol is SIP.

Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.