KR100449581B1 - Apparatus and method for displaying the condition, status, and activity of a cable modem - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable modem display for providing information regarding the condition, status and operation of the cable modem in use. The present invention also relates to a method for transmitting information regarding the state of a cable modem to a modem user. This display and method is desirable to provide an intuitive presentation that is easy for the user to read and understand, relatively inexpensive to produce, provides very useful or frequently requested information by the user, and provides an overall satisfactory visual effect. . The manner in which the information is presented, coupled with the careful selection of the information to be provided by the display, allows for an intuitive and easily understandable presentation of the information. The cable modem display includes a number of color state indicator elements on a cable modem housing or displayed on a monitor or other visual display associated with a device connected to the cable modem. In one embodiment, the status indicators of the cable modem display of the present invention include a plurality of light emitting diodes that are used to signal the operation and operation of the cable modem. In another embodiment, the cable modem display includes status indicators that are displayed on a computer monitor or the like.

Description

Apparatus and method for displaying the condition, status, and activity of a cable modem}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a cable modem operating status display and a method for displaying conditions or conditions of a cable modem, and more particularly to providing data desired by a cable modem user in an intuitive, easily read and understood format. Relates to a cable modem display and method.

Many home and business computer users typically use a modem to access the Internet through a public telephone network, using home or work telephone lines. Public telephone networks provide dedicated circuits from modems to servers located on the Internet service provider side. The server acts as a gateway to the Internet. However, the bandwidth of typical home and business telephone lines is relatively small, which limits the rate at which information can be received from the Internet. Although higher speed phone line connections are possible and many times faster than regular phone lines, these phone lines do not provide the desired data rate.

As an alternative to telephone line use, the Internet can be connected via coaxial cables using a cable modem. Coaxial cable offers greater bandwidth than available telephone lines and is widely used by existing television subscribers. After all, the trend is toward the use of cable modems.

Because cable modems are being adopted by a large part of the population, they can simplify the use of modems, including providing all the state information that the user desires while simplifying the means by which the state and operation of the cable modem are understood. There is a need. In addition, as many cable modems are configured to be used as external cable modems, which generally mean the outside of a computer, it is also important that the cable modem has an appearance that satisfies the user.

Conventional cable modems sometimes use a light indication on the modem to provide information about the status and operation of the modem. However, conventional cable modem states or conditions during modem display do not provide a mix or compilation of the most useful information. In addition, current cable modem designs are generally unintuitive, difficult to understand, and provide less information in a visually less satisfying way than the user can hope for. For example, most external modems and cable modems include status indicator lights that are used to demonstrate operation, such as transmission status indicators and reception indicators, often labeled "TX" and "RX." These lights usually illuminate one color while data is being transmitted or received, and sometimes the length of the light is related to the actual transmission or reception operation. However, since only one color is used, they indicate only one information state.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide information that is suitable for use in connection with a general home and work computer, which is relatively inexpensive, most useful or frequently used by a user, and is easy to use and easy to read and understand. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for displaying the condition, state and operation of a cable modem that provides information on the state of the modem using an intuitive presentation that produces a satisfactory visual effect.

1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cable modem of the present invention coupled to the Internet via a computer and an Internet service provider.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the cable modem indicator of FIG. 1.

3 shows a schematic diagram of the embodiment of the cable modem of FIG. 2, including two additional status indicators that may have a second or secondary display.

4 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the cable modem of the present invention.

5 shows a front view of the cable modem of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the cable modem of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the cable modem of FIG. 4.

8 shows a plan view of the opposite side of the cable modem shown in FIG.

9 illustrates a top view of the cable modem of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the cable modem of FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 shows the front view of FIG. 5 with illuminated status indicators.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a cable modem comprising a new information supply display for supplying information regarding the status and operation of the cable modem during use. The present invention also relates to a method for transmitting information regarding the state of a cable modem to a modem user. The display and method preferably provide an intuitive presentation that is easy for the user to read and understand, and is relatively inexpensive to supply, and provides an overall satisfactory visual effect. The cable modem display includes a number of color state indicator elements that are on a cable modem housing or displayed on a monitor or other visual device associated with a device connected to the cable modem.

In one embodiment, the cable modem display includes a reception status indicator for indicating a search status for a downstream channel, a successful channel selection status, and a downstream data transmission reception status, and modem initialization, modem initialization completion and upstream ( upstream) transmission status indicator for indicating data transmission. The cable modem also preferably includes a power status indicator indicating the diagnostic and power status of the cable modem, and a service status indicator for indicating the modem registration and modem registration completion status. The cable modem display may further include a busy status indicator to indicate a failure to transmit upstream data and a message status indicator to indicate the presence of unread email messages. In other embodiments, the cable modem may further include a link status indicator for indicating the status of the link between the cable modem and a device coupled to the cable modem, and an Ethernet status indicator for indicating Ethernet operation. have. In other alternative embodiments, other status indicators may be used that provide some other desired information.

The present invention includes status indicators that use two colors separately and simultaneously to transfer more amounts of information in a more easily understandable format than is possible when represented by a status indicator using only one color. The manner in which the information is presented, coupled with the careful selection of the information to be provided by the display, makes the presentation of the information intuitive and easily understandable. In some embodiments, the display preferably uses at least one status indicator using two colors. In other embodiments at least one status indicator uses two colors separately or simultaneously to produce a third color. In another embodiment, the status indicators of the cable modem display of the present invention include a plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter, LEDs) that are used to signal the operational status and operation of the cable modem. In other alternative embodiments, other known lighting means may be used instead of the LEDs. In a further embodiment, the cable modem display includes status indicators that are displayed on a computer monitor or the like.

The invention also includes a method for providing a cable modem user with information regarding the conditions and conditions of the cable modem. The steps of the method, which will be described below, may be performed in a different order than the order of steps described below, and the steps of some methods may be performed simultaneously. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) causing the first status indicator to intermittently emit the first color to indicate that the cable modem is searching for the receiving channel, (b) the cable modem Causing the first status indicator to continuously emit a first color to indicate that the selected channel is jammed; (c) causing the first status indicator to indicate that the cable modem is receiving data; Intermittently emitting two colors; (e) causing a second status indicator to intermittently emit the first color to indicate that the cable modem is ranging; (f) the cable modem. Causing the second status indicator to continuously emit a first color to indicate that it is ready to transmit this data; (g) indicating that the cable modem is transmitting data. Naedorok allows the state indicator of claim 2 comprising the step of the intermittent light emission with the second color. In another alternative embodiment, steps (c) and (g) instead replace (c) the second color generated by the simultaneous emission of the first and third colors to indicate that the cable modem is receiving data. Causing the first status indicator to be illuminated intermittently, (g) by the second color generated by simultaneous emission of the first and third colors to indicate that the cable modem is transmitting data. A status indicator of 2 is written to cause it to illuminate intermittently.

The method of the present invention comprises the following steps: (h) causing a third status indicator to intermittently emit one color to indicate that the cable modem is performing a self-diagnostic routine and is not yet operational, ( i) causing a third status indicator to continuously light in color to indicate that the cable modem is operable.

The method also includes the following additional steps: (j) causing the fourth status indicator to intermittently emit a color to indicate that the cable modem is registering and (k) the cable modem to register. Causing the fourth status indicator to continuously emit one color to indicate completion.

Further steps may be included in the method of the present invention, the steps of the further method being performed by (5) causing the fifth status indicator to indicate that the cable modem cannot transmit data because the network connection is busy. Intermittently emitting a color and (m) causing a sixth status indicator to intermittently emit a color to indicate that an e-mail message can be downloaded.

The present invention relates to a new status display for a cable modem that provides information about the condition, status and operation of the cable modem in use. The invention also relates to a method for providing a modem user with information regarding the status of a cable modem. The display and method provide an intuitive presentation that is easy to read and understand by the user, relatively inexpensive to provide, provides the most useful or frequently requested information by the user, and produces an overall satisfactory visual effect. This is preferred.

The present invention relates to condition-state-operation indicators (hereafter referred to as status indicators) that transmit a much larger amount of information than can be displayed on the status indicator using only one color using two colors separately and simultaneously. ). The manner in which the information is presented, combined with the careful selection of the information to be provided by the display, results in an intuitive and easily understandable representation of the information. The cable modem display may include illumination status indicators fixed to the housing of the cable modem. As another alternative, the cable modem display may include status indicators displayed on a computer monitor or the like associated with the cable modem.

1, an embodiment of a cable modem 100 connected to a general purpose computer 104 and connected to a cable head-end server (hereafter server 102) via a coaxial cable 108 is shown. The server 102 is preferably operated by an internet service provider and later linked to the internet 106. In general, Internet service providers act as point of reference (POP) and provide high speed data services. Computer 104 typically includes a bus coupled to a network controller, such as an Ethernet card, or other means for connecting to cable modem 100. Ethernet controllers are widely available from many manufacturers. The computer 104 is shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes only, and devices other than the computer 104 may be coupled to the cable modem 100. The cable modem 100 may be configured as an external or internal cable modem.

The cable modem 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a cable modem condition-status-operation display 110, a CPU or microcontroller 114, a random access memory (RAM) 118, a read only memory (ROM). Modem chip 116, memory buffer 112, and network controller 120, which also include some processor functionality. The cable modem 100 transmits or receives digital data, or converts digital data into analog data before transmission and converts analog data into digital data after reception. The configuration of the cable modem 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided merely as an example, and other configurations may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, at least four status indicators 122-128 are used, preferably at least two of which may emit two or more colors of light. The four status indicators 122-128 are assigned one status indicator 122-128 for each of the following conditions: (a) reception status, (b) transmission status, (c) service status and (d) It is desirable to provide information on the call state. The status indicators 122-128 may be used on other modems, but are preferably identified on the cable modem 100, preferably accompanied by text, respectively, received, transmitted, serviced, and busy. Preferably, the reception indicator 122 and the transmission indicator 24 can be dimmed with at least two colors. In the preferred embodiment, of course, other colors may be chosen, but the two colors are green and yellow.

The reception status indicator, hereinafter, the reception indicator 122, is used to provide information regarding the cable modem 100 connection status to the channel for data reception, and the data reception operation of the cable modem 100. When the cable modem 100 is not in operation, it may be desirable that the status display 110 is not dimmed. During modem initialization, the reception indicator 122 is preferably intermittently dimmed by a green light source to indicate that the cable modem 100 is searching for a reception channel. The flashing rate is preferably about 1 Hz with a 50% duty cycle, although other desired or actual flashing rates and duty cycles may be used. The blinking green light is easily and intuitively understood by the user to mean that the cable modem 100 is performing a normal operation that requires a wait. When scanning is complete, the reception indicator 122 does not blink and remains dimmed by the green light source as long as the cable modem 100 is connected to the selected channel. The continuous green state of the receive indicator 122 is understood by the user easily and intuitively to mean that the cable modem 100 is connected to the receive channel and is ready to receive. When data is received, the status indicator may be used with any desired or actual color, blink rate and duty cycle, but preferably with a second color, preferably at a rate of about 1 Hz with a 50% duty cycle, preferably It will be desirable to be intermittently dimmed by yellow. In other cases, the blinking of yellow to illuminate the reception indicator 122 illuminated by the green light source is easily and intuitively understood by the user to indicate normal data reception operation.

Transmission status indicator, hereinafter transmission indicator 124 is used to provide information regarding the initialization status of cable modem 100 and data transmission operation of cable modem 100. If the cable modem 100 is not in operation, the status display 110 may not be dimmed. During modem initialization, the transmit indicator 124 is preferably intermittently dimmed by the green light source to indicate that the cable modem 100 is ranging. The blink rate is preferably about 1 Hz for a 50% duty cycle, although other desired or actual blink rates and duty cycles may be used. Blinking green is understood by the user to be easy and intuitive that the cable modem 100 is performing a normal operation that requires a wait. The transmit indicator 124 is continuously dimmed after ranging is complete. The continuous green state of the transmit indicator 124 informs the user that the cable modem 100 is ready to send data. When data is transmitted over the coaxial cable 108, the transmit indicator 124 is preferably first flashed at a rate of about 1 Hz at 50% duty cycle, although other colors, blink rates and duty cycles may also be used. It is preferred that the color is intermittently dimmed by two colors, preferably yellow. Preferred yellow does not signal what the display of red flashing can signal. Thus, it is readily and intuitively understood by the user that the yellow blink dimming the transmission indicator 124 illuminated by the green light source in other cases indicates normal transmission operation.

The service indicator 126 is used to indicate the status of the modem registration initialization process. During the registration process, the service indicator 126 may be used with other colors, blink rates and duty cycles, but preferably by a selected color, preferably green, flashing at a rate of about 1 Hz with a 50% duty cycle. Intermittent dimming is preferred. Blinking green is easily and intuitively understood by the user to indicate that the cable modem 100 is performing routine functions that require a short wait. The service indicator 126 will be illuminated continuously when this process is complete. This is easily and intuitively understood by the user to indicate that the cable modem 100 is ready for operation. The service indicator 126 is not dimmed unless the cable modem 100 is in operation.

Busy indicator 128 preferably has only one red light source. This light source is not normally dimmed. When the cable modem 100 attempts to transmit data but cannot transmit data because the channel is temporarily busy, of course other colors, blink rates and duty cycles can also be used, but preferably have a duty cycle of 50%. The red light source flashes at a rate of 1 Hz. This blinking stops when transmission is restored. The blinking of red light is easily and intuitively understood by the user to indicate a problem.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the status display 100 includes six status indicators 122-132, preferably at least three of which can emit two or more colors of light. The status indicators 122 to 132 are assigned to (a) power state, (b) reception state, (c) transmission state, (d) service state, e) it is desirable to provide information regarding call status and (f) message status. The indicators may of course also use other textual notations, but preferably are preferably identified on the cable modem 100, accompanied by the text power, receive, transmit, service, busy and message, respectively. Thus, in addition to the receive indicator 122, the transmit indicator 124, the service indicator 126, and the busy indicator 128 described above, a power indicator 130 and a message indicator 132 are provided.

The power indicator is used to identify whether the cable modem 100 is on or off. Preferably, a light source capable of emitting two different colors of light is used in power indicator 130. The colors used are preferably red and green. When the cable modem 100 is off, the light source is not dimmed. When cable modem 100 is turned on, power indicator 130 is powered on cable modem 100 but cable modem 100 is performing a self-diagnostic routine and is not yet operational. In order to show, red flashes intermittently, preferably at a rate of about 1 Hz with a 50% duty cycle. The blinking of red light is understood by the user to be easy and intuitive that the cable modem 100 is not yet in operation, meaning that the user must wait. In other alternative embodiments, other colors, blink rates, and duty cycles may be used. When the diagnostic routine is completed, if the cable modem 100 is in operation, the power indicator 130 emits green light to indicate the operating state of the cable modem 100. The power indicator 130 remains dimmed with green light while the cable modem is operational. Green light is easily and intuitively understood by the cable modem 100 user to indicate an operational state or condition.

The message indicator 132 signals that an e-mail message has been received and is available for download. If no message has been received, the message indicator 132 is not illuminated. If the message has been received, the message receiver 132 starts blinking. Any color, blink rate and duty cycle may be used, but the message indicator 132 is preferably illuminated by flashing green light at a rate of about 1 Hz with a 50% duty cycle.

3 shows an embodiment of a cable modem 100 with two additional status indicators 134 and 136. The additional status indicators 134, 136 may be placed in front of the cable modem 100 or anywhere in the cable modem 100 housing. For example, FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the cable modem of FIG. 4, including link indicator 134 and Ethernet indicator 136. In alternative embodiments, link indicator 134 and Ethernet indicator 136 may be included in display 110. However, the user of the cable modem 100 is usually referred to by the link status indicator or the Ethernet operational status indicator until any problem is identified with reference to the marking on the front of the cable modem 100 including the six status indicators shown in FIG. You will not need the information provided. Thus, these status indicators are located on the back of the cable modem 100 housing in the embodiment shown in FIG. Known cable connector 138, display switch 142 for turning the display on the front of the cable modem on and off, known RS-232C port 144, reset button 146, Ethernet operational status indicator 148, link status Numerous shapes are shown on the back of the cable modem housing, including indicator 150, Ethernet jack 152, and known power connector 154. The shapes or the arrangement order or position of the elements are not strict in the present invention. Other configurations may be used, and shapes may be removed or added from what is shown here.

4 to 11 generally show a perspective view of the cable modem from all sides. 4 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the cable modem of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the status indicators are placed under the status indicator cover 156, which is preferably made of a right angle plastic material which is desirable to prevent the status indicators 122-132 from being visible if they are not illuminated. 5 shows a front view of the cable modem of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a back view of the cable modem of FIG. 4 described above. 7 and 8 show the cable modem of FIG. 4 from both sides, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show top and bottom perspective views of the cable modem housing. FIG. 11 shows a front view of the cable modem housing of FIG. 5 with the status indicators 122-132 illuminated and viewed through the rectangular status indicator cover 156.

In general, the status indicators may be illuminated by any known light source using any desired or practical colors. However, preferred means for dimming the status indicators include the display of status indicators in a location, such as a computer screen, and the use of LEDs in status indicators placed over the housing of the cable modem 100.

It is well known to generate desired colors in a computer monitor or the like, and any known means for doing so may be used. It is desirable that the status indicators be relatively small so that the status indicators do not occupy a significant portion of the screen being displayed, so that the user can use most of the screen for other functions. It is well known to provide status indicators that occupy only a small portion of a computer monitor or screen, and any means for building such a display can be used.

With regard to the use of LEDs, it is desirable to use two color LEDs for status indicators that can be illuminated by one or more colors. For example, in one embodiment of the cable modem 100 display, the receive indicator 122 and the transmit indicator 124 each include LEDs that can emit both green and red light. Simultaneous emission of green and red light results in yellow dimming. A reception indicator 122 comprising two color LEDs capable of emitting both green and red light is used as follows. During initialization while the cable modem 100 is searching for a receive channel, the LED will intermittently emit green light at the desired speed and duty cycle. When scanning is completed successfully, the LED will emit green light continuously. When data is received, the LED will intermittently emit red light at the desired frequency or blink rate in addition to the green light that is still emitting. Thus, the LED emission of red and green light results in yellow illumination of the reception indicator 122 when data is received.

The present invention also includes a method for providing information about a condition and status of a cable modem 100 to a cable modem 100 user, the method comprising: (a) a cable modem 100 receiving channel; Causing the first status indicator to emit a first color intermittently to indicate that it is scanning (b) the first status indicator to indicate that the cable modem 100 is connected to the selected channel. Causing the first color to emit light continuously, (c) causing the first status indicator to intermittently emit the second color to indicate that the cable modem 100 is receiving data, (e Causing the second status indicator to intermittently emit a first color to indicate that the cable modem 100 is in ranging, (f) the cable modem 100 is ready to send data That Causing the second status indicator to continuously emit a first color to indicate (g) causing the second status indicator to display the second color to indicate that the cable modem 100 is transmitting data. Intermittently emitting light. In another alternative embodiment, steps (c) and (g) further comprise: (c) the first status indicator is activated by simultaneous flashing of the first and third colors to indicate that the cable modem is receiving data. Intermittently illuminated by the generated second color, and (g) the second state indicator is caused by simultaneous emission of the first and third colors to indicate that the cable modem is transmitting data. It is instead used as an intermittent illumination by the generated second color.

The method of the present invention comprises the following steps, (h) causing a third status indicator to intermittently emit a color to indicate that the cable modem 100 is performing a self-diagnostic routine and not yet operating. And (i) causing the third status indicator to continuously emit its color to indicate that the cable modem 100 is in operation. In embodiments comprising steps (h) and (i), it is desirable for step (h) and (i) to be performed prior to other steps of the method comprising all steps from (a) to (g) It may be desirable. In addition, some method steps of this and other embodiments of the method may be performed simultaneously with other steps of the method.

The method of the present invention comprises the following additional steps: (j) causing the fourth status indicator to intermittently emit a color to indicate that the cable modem 100 is initializing and (k) the cable modem 100 ) May also cause the fourth status indicator to continuously emit one color to indicate that has completed initialization and is in operation.

And further additional method steps: (l) causing the fifth status indicator to intermittently emit one color to indicate that the cable modem 100 cannot send data because the network connection is busy and (m The step of causing the sixth status indicator to intermittently emit a color to indicate that the e-mail message is downloadable may be included in the method of the present invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the above description of the preferred embodiment that many changes and modifications can be made readily without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope thereof accordingly to be defined in more detail by the following claims. The description and disclosure herein are by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which will be described in more detail by the claims that follow. For example, the selection of data to be provided to the user by the display of the present invention and the choice of color and blink rate described above are preferred configurations for the cable modem 100 of the present invention, but other configurations may also be used. have.

According to the present invention, a visual effect, which is suitable for use in connection with a general home and work computer, provides information that is relatively inexpensive, most useful, or frequently used by a user, and is completely satisfactory for the user to read and understand. An intuitive presentation can be used to provide information about the state of the modem.

Claims (29)

In the cable modem display for visually indicating the status of the cable modem, A reception status indicator for indicating a scanning status for a downstream channel, a status of successful channel selection, and a status of receiving a downstream data transmission; A transmission status indicator for indicating modem initialization, completion of modem initialization, and upstream data transmission; And A cable modem display comprising a message status indicator to indicate the presence of an unread email message. The method of claim 1, And a service status indicator for indicating modem registration and completion status of the modem registration. The method of claim 2, And a busy status indicator to indicate a failure to transmit upstream data. The method of claim 3, And further comprising a power status indicator for indicating a power status of the cable modem. delete The method of claim 1, And a link status indicator for indicating a status of a link between the cable modem and a device connected to the cable modem. The method of claim 1, A cable modem display further comprising an Ethernet status indicator to indicate the operational status of an Ethernet connection. 4. The cable modem display of claim 3, wherein at least one of the reception status indicator, transmission status indicator, service status indicator, and call status indicator is illuminated by at least two colors of light. 4. A cable modem display according to claim 3, wherein the reception status indicator, transmission status indicator, service status indicator and call status indicator are displayed on visual output means. 10. The cable modem display of claim 9, wherein said visual output means comprises a computer monitor. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least two of the reception status indicator, transmission status indicator, service status indicator, and call status indicator further comprises an LED capable of emitting a first color of light and a second color of light. Cable modem display. 12. The cable modem display of claim 11, wherein the LED is illuminated by a third color by causing the LED to emit a first color of light and a second color of light simultaneously. 13. The cable modem display of claim 12, wherein the first color of light is green, the second color of light is red, and the third color of light is yellow. A cable modem comprising a display for visually indicating a state of a cable modem, the cable modem comprising: Microprocessor; Network controller; A reception status indicator indicating a scanning status for the downstream channel, a successful channel selection status and a downstream information reception status, and further comprising light emitting means; A transmission status indicator indicating modem initialization, completion of modem initialization and upstream transmission, and further comprising light emitting means; A service status indicator indicating a state of modem registration and modem registration completion, and further including light emitting means; A busy status indicator indicating a failure to transmit upstream data and further comprising light emitting means; A power state indicator indicating a power state of the cable modem and further comprising light emitting means; And And a message status indicator indicating the presence of an unread email message and further comprising a light emitting means. 15. The cable modem of claim 14, wherein at least three of the power status indicator, the reception status indicator, the transmission status indicator, the service status indicator, the call status indicator, and the message status indicator are illuminated by at least two colors of light. 16. The LED of claim 15, wherein at least three light emitting means of the power status indicator, the reception status indicator, the transmission status indicator, the service status indicator, the call status indicator, and the message status indicator are capable of emitting a first color of light and a second color of light. Cable modem further comprises. 17. The cable modem of claim 16, wherein the LED generates a third color of light by simultaneously emitting a first color of light and a second color of light. 18. The cable modem of claim 17 wherein the first color of light is green, the second color of light is red, and the third color of light is yellow. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reception status indicator is intermittently dimmed by a first color of light to indicate that the cable modem is seeking a reception channel, and the reception status indicator is to indicate that the cable modem is connected to the selected channel. Wherein the reception status indicator is intermittently dimmed by the third color of light to indicate that the cable modem is receiving data. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transmission status indicator is intermittently dimmed by a first color to indicate that the cable modem is ranging, and a first optical light to indicate that the cable modem is ready to transmit data. And is continuously dimmed by color, and intermittently dimmed by a third color of light to indicate that the cable modem transmits data. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the power status indicator is intermittently dimmed by a second color of light to indicate that the cable modem is performing a self diagnostic routine and is not yet in operation, and to indicate that the cable modem is operating. A cable modem, characterized by continuous dimming by a first color of light. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the service status indicator is intermittently dimmed by a first color of light to indicate that the cable modem is initializing, and the first state of light to indicate that the cable modem has completed initialization and is in operation. Cable modem, characterized by continuous dimming. 23. The cable modem of claim 22, wherein the call status indicator is intermittently dimmed by a second color of light to indicate that the cable modem cannot transmit data because the network connected to the cable modem is busy. 24. The cable modem of claim 23 wherein the message status indicator is intermittently dimmed by the first color to indicate that an email message can be downloaded. In the method for displaying the conditions and status of the cable modem, (a) causing the first status indicator to intermittently emit the first color to indicate that the cable modem is searching for a receive channel; (b) causing the first status indicator to continuously emit a first color to indicate that the cable modem is connected to the selected channel; (c) causing the first status indicator to intermittently emit a second color to indicate that the cable modem is receiving data; (e) causing the second status indicator to intermittently emit the first color to indicate that the cable modem is ranging; (f) causing the second status indicator to continuously emit a first color to indicate that the cable modem is ready to send data; (g) causing the second status indicator to intermittently emit the second color to indicate that the cable modem is transmitting data. The method of claim 25, (h) causing a third status indicator to intermittently emit a color to indicate that the cable modem is performing a self-test routine and is not yet operational; (i) causing a third status indicator to continuously light up said color to indicate that the cable modem is in operation. The method of claim 25, (j) causing a third status indicator to intermittently emit a color to indicate that the cable modem is initializing, (k) causing the third status indicator to continuously emit one color to indicate that the cable modem has completed initialization and is operational. The method of claim 25, (l) intermittently flashing a color to a third status indicator to indicate that the cable modem is unable to send data because the network is busy. The method of claim 25, (m) causing the third status indicator to emit one color intermittently to indicate that the email message can be downloaded.