EP0695092A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Network apparatus and method for providing two-way broadband communications
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1995-07-19
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A communication network (e.g., a coax network or an optical fiber network) comprises a signal distribution network (e.g., fiber node FN) for transmitting communication signals downstream over a first communication path to a plurality of end user apparatuses connected thereto. At least one end user apparatus is arranged for sending the return signals downstream over at least part of the first communication path to a converter apparatus which collects the return signals and converts them to an upstream signal for transmission over a second separate communication path to the distribution unit.
Inventors
- 👤 George E. Bodeep
- 👤 Xiaolin Lu
- 👤 Thomas Edward Darcie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A communication network comprising a signal distribution unit (200) for transmitting frequency-division multiplexed communication signals downstream over a first communication path (201) to a plurality of end user apparatuses connected thereto, said network CHARACTERIZED BY at least one end user apparatus (210) including means for sending return signals downstream (B2b) over at least some portion of said first communication path, and a converter apparatus (260) for collecting the return signals received over said first communication path to form a combined signal and for converting the combined signal to an upstream signal for transmission upstream over a second separate communication path (270) to said distribution unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
The network of claim 1 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED BY a second converter apparatus (402) connected over a different first communication path and wherein each converter apparatus receives return signals from at least one end user apparatus and each converter apparatus uses a different second communication path for upstream signal transmission to said distribution unit and wherein upstream signals of said second communication paths are combined at said distribution unit (200).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The network of claim 1 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED BY a second converter apparatus (402) connected over a different first communication path and wherein each converter apparatus receives return signals from at least one end user apparatus and each converter apparatus uses a different second communication path for upstream signal transmission to said distribution unit and wherein upstream signals of said second communication paths are combined in a combiner unit (404) that is not co-located with said distribution unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The network of claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT at least one end user apparatus is arranged to transmit at least a portion of said return signals upstream over a portion of said first communication path to said distribution unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The network of claim 4 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said converter apparatus is arranged for receiving at least a portion of said communication signals over a different second communication path and for converting the received signals and for transmitting the converted signals to said at least one end user apparatus over a portion of said first communication path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A communication network comprising a signal distribution unit (200) for transmitting communication signals downstream to a plurality of end user apparatuses over a signal distribution system that includes a uni-directional primary path (301) and a bi-directional access path (310), said network CHARACTERIZED BY at least one end user apparatus (311) including means for sending return signals upstream over the access path, a node apparatus (380) for combining downstream communication signals from the primary path and upstream return signals from the access path into a combined signal and for transmitting the combined signal to a converter apparatus, and said converter apparatus (390) for receiving and converting at least a portion of the combined signal to an upstream signal for transmission over a second separate communication path to said distribution unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the said portion of the combined signal includes the upstream return signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The network of claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said node apparatus transmits the combined signal downstream over a portion of the primary path to said converter apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The network of claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the primary and access paths are formed from one or more path segments selected from a group including coaxial cable, optical fiber, and one or more twisted wire pairs, and the second path is an optical fiber, said converter apparatus includes an optical source for converting the combined signal into an optical upstream signal, and said distribution unit includes means for receiving said optical upstream signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
The network of claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the primary and access paths are formed from one or more path segments selected from a group including coaxial cable, optical fiber, and one or more twisted wire pairs, and the second path is a radio link, said converter apparatus includes a radio transmitter for converting the combined signal into a radio upstream signal, and said distribution unit includes means for receiving said radio upstream signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
The network of claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said node apparatus includes wireless means for transmitting downstream communication signals to another group of end user apparatuses and wireless means for receiving return signals from said one or more end user apparatuses and said another group of end user apparatuses including wireless means for receiving downstream communication signals from said node apparatus and wireless means for transmitting return signals to said node apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The network of claim 6 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED BY another group of end user apparatuses having means for sending return signals over a second access path to said converter apparatus and wherein said converter apparatus combines the downstream communication signal from the primary path, the upstream return signals from the access path, and the return signals from the second access path to form the combined signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The network of claim 6 FURTHER CHARACTERIZED BY a second converter apparatus connected over a different primary path and wherein each converter apparatus receives return signals from at least one end user apparatus and each converter apparatus uses a different second communication path for upstream signal transmission to said distribution unit and wherein upstream signals of said second communication paths are combined at said distribution unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The network of claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said uni-directional primary path is modified to include a bidirectional capability and said node apparatus is arranged to transmit at least a portion of said return signals from the access path over a portion of said modified primary path to said distribution unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
The network of claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said uni-directional primary path is modified to include a bidirectional capability and said converter apparatus is arranged for receiving at least a portion of said communication signals over a different second communication path and for converting the received signals and for transmitting the converted signals to said at least one node apparatus over a portion of said modified primary path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0419137A2
Cited
WO1994016534A2
Cited
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