Patent CA1201484A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
CA1201484A
Expired / Lapsed
CA
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Information distribution system
Assignee: Times Fiber Communications Inc
•
Filing: 1982-05-12
•
Granted: 1986-03-04
•
Expires: 2002-05-12
Abstract
Abstract ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An information distribution system is disclosed. The system is composed of hub distribution centers which are connected to a plurality of individual subscribers by fiber optic cable or bidirectional coaxial cable. The system is particularly suitable for CATV distribution but may also be adapted to provide telephone, mail, radio and other services to the subscribers through the same cable connection with the hub distribution center.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A. Pinnow
- 👤 Gary E. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
CA
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/22; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An information distribution system comprising: i) a hub distribution center, ii) a plurality of individual subscriber units each connected to said hub distribution center by a fiber optic cable, iii) means at said hub distribution center for receiving optical signals transmitted from each of said individual subscriber units to said hub distribution center through the fiber optic cables, iv) means at said hub distribution center for receiving a plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies in frequency division multiplexed form, for selecting a single information signal from said plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies, for converting it to a transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set and for transmitting it as an optical signal to an individual subscriber unit through the fiber optic cable in response to an optical signal transmitted from said individual subscriber unit to said hub distribution center through the same fiber optic cable, v) means at each of said individual subscriber units for generating and transmitting an optical signal to said hub distribution center through the fiber optic cable, and vi) means at each of said individual subscriber units for receiving the optical signal transmitted from said hub distribution center and for converting it to an electrical signal at said transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An information distribution system comprising: i) a hub distribution center, ii) a plurality of individual subscriber units each connected to said hub distribution center by a fiber optic cable, iii) means at said hub distribution center for receiving optical signals transmitted from each of said individual subscriber units to said hub distribution center through the fiber optic cables, iv) means at said hub distribution center for receiving a plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies in frequency division multiplexed form, for selecting a single information signal from said plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies, for converting it to a transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set and for transmitting it as an optical signal to an individual subscriber unit through the fiber optic cable in response to an optical signal transmitted from said individual subscriber unit to said hub distribution center through the same fiber optic cable, v) means at each of said individual subscriber units for generating and transmitting an optical signal to said hub distribution center through the fiber optic cable, and vi) means at each of said individual subscriber units for receiving the optical signal transmitted from said hub distribution center and for converting it to an electrical signal at said transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as defined by claim 1, wherein said information signals are video signals.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
34 words
The system as defined by claims 1 or 2 wherein each of said subscriber units is connected to the hub distribution center by a fiber optic cable comprised of at least two optical fibers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
34 words
The system as defined by claims 1 or 2, wherein each of said subscriber units is connected to the hub distribution center by a fiber optic cable comprised of a single, bidirectional optical fiber.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
41 words
The system as defined by claims 1 or 2, wherein each of said subscriber units is connected to the hub distribution center by a fiber optic cable comprised of at least one optical fiber and at least one metal wire pair.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
32 words
The system as defined by claims 1 or 2, further comprising additional hub distribution centers, each of said centers being connected to a plurality of different subscriber units by fiber optic cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system as defined by claim 1, wherein said means at said hub distribution center for receiving optical signals transmitted from each of said individual subscriber units comprises a plurality of photodiodes positioned such that one photodiode receives the optical signals from one fiber optic cable connecting the hub distribution center to an individual subscriber unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system as defined by claim 7, wherein said photodiodes are made from semiconductor material having an energy band gap which is greater than the quantum energy associated with the optical signal transmitted by the hub to an individual subscriber unit whereby the optical signal transmitted by the hub to an individual subscriber unit passes through the photodiode which received the optical signals transmitted from the subscriber and into the same fiber optic cable that connects the individual subscriber to the hub.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
39 words
The system as defined by claims 1 or 2, wherein said hub distribution center contains means for determining that the subscriber is entitled to receive an information signal in response to the signal transmitted from said individual subscriber units.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
27 words
The system as defined by claims 1 or 2, wherein said hub distribution center contains means for recording the economic accountability of each of said individual subscribers.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
52 words
The system as defined by claims 1 or 2, wherein said means at each of said individual subscriber units for receiving the optical signal transmitted from said hub distribution center is positioned such that less than 1/2-meter of conductive material is required to link said receiving means to the subscriber's TV set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
206 words
An information distribution system comprising: i) a hub distribution center, ii) a plurality of individual subscriber units each connected to said hub distribution center by a bi-directional coaxial cable, iii) means at said hub distribution center for receiving signals transmitted from each of said individual subscriber units to said hub distribution center through the bidirectional coaxial cables. iv) means at said hub distribution center for receiving a plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies in frequency division multiplexed form, for selecting a single information signal from said plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies, for converting it to a transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set and for transmitting it to an individual subscriber unit through the bidirectional coaxial cable in response to a signal transmitted from said individual subscriber unit to said hub distribution center through the said bidirectional coaxial cable, v) means at each of said individual subscriber units for generating and transmitting a signal to said hub distribution center through the bidirectional coaxial cable, and vi) means at each of said individual subscriber units for receiving the signal transmitted from said hub distribution center at said transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
206 words
An information distribution system comprising: i) a hub distribution center, ii) a plurality of individual subscriber units each connected to said hub distribution center by a bi-directional coaxial cable, iii) means at said hub distribution center for receiving signals transmitted from each of said individual subscriber units to said hub distribution center through the bidirectional coaxial cables. iv) means at said hub distribution center for receiving a plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies in frequency division multiplexed form, for selecting a single information signal from said plurality of information signals having different characteristic frequencies, for converting it to a transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set and for transmitting it to an individual subscriber unit through the bidirectional coaxial cable in response to a signal transmitted from said individual subscriber unit to said hub distribution center through the said bidirectional coaxial cable, v) means at each of said individual subscriber units for generating and transmitting a signal to said hub distribution center through the bidirectional coaxial cable, and vi) means at each of said individual subscriber units for receiving the signal transmitted from said hub distribution center at said transmission frequency which can be received directly by a television set.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as defined by claim 12, wherein said information signals are video signals.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
39 words
The system as defined by claims 12 or 13, wherein said hub distribution center contains means for determining that the subscriber is entitled to receive an information signal in response to the signal transmitted from said individual subscriber units.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
27 words
The system as defined by claims 12 or 13, wherein said hub distribution center contains means for recording the economic accountability of each of said individual subscribers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.