US4943973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spread-spectrum identification signal for communications system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-31
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Granted: 1990-07-24
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Expires: 2009-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A spread-spectrum signal which conveys identifying information for an associated information signal is superimposed on the associated signal and transmitted therewith. Such identifying information distinguishes between voice and data information signals and between different types of data information signals. Such identification can be used for a variety of purposes within a communications network, such as facility and equipment selection, equipment disablement and bypass, setting communications parameters, e.g., speed, and inhibiting communications upon fault detection.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Jacques Werner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/69; H04B1/707
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A communications system comprising means for transmitting a spread-spectrum signature signal superimposed upon an associated nonspread-spectrum information signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies the associated information signal; means for receiving said information signal and superimposed spread-spectrum signature signal; and means responsive to the received spread-spectrum signature signal for recovering the identifying information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A communications system comprising means for transmitting a spread-spectrum signature signal superimposed upon an associated nonspread-spectrum information signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies the associated information signal; means for receiving said information signal and superimposed spread-spectrum signature signal; and means responsive to the received spread-spectrum signature signal for recovering the identifying information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The communications system of claim 1 wherein said recovering means also includes means for assigning said associated information signal to one of a plurality of communications modes in response to the identifying information recovered from said spread-spectrum signature signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means routes said associated information signal to one of a plurality of communications facilities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means causes said associated information signal to bypass predetermined communications apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means selectively disables at least one of a plurality of communications apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means maintains a record of the assigned communications mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means routes said associated information signal to different ones of a plurality of similar communications apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means generates a signal which inhibits future transmission of said associated information signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means alters an operating characteristic of said receiving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said assigning means also alters an operating characteristic of said transmitting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said operating characteristic is the rate at which said information signal and superimposed spread-spectrum signature signal is transmitted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means includes means for generating said spread-spectrum signature signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said generating means includes a pseudorandom sequence generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means includes means for superimposing said spread-spectrum signature signal upon said associated information signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein receiving means includes a random sequence generator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said receiving means includes a decision device which compares a signal to a predetermined threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means transmits said associated information signal and superimposed spread-spectrum signature signal as a baseband signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means transmits said associated information signal and superimposed spread-spectrum signature signal as a passband signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
A communications method comprising the steps of transmitting a spread-spectrum signature signal superimposed upon an associated nonspread-spectrum information signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies the associated information signal; receiving said information signal and superimposed spread-spectrum signature signal; and recovering the identifying information from the received spread-spectrum signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
A communications method comprising the steps of transmitting a spread-spectrum signature signal superimposed upon an associated nonspread-spectrum information signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies the associated information signal; receiving said information signal and superimposed spread-spectrum signature signal; and recovering the identifying information from the received spread-spectrum signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A transmitter for a communications system comprising means for receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal and generating a spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and means responsive to said spread-sprectrum signal and said information signal for superimposing said spread-spectrum signal onto said information signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A transmitter for a communications system comprising means for receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal and generating a spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and means responsive to said spread-sprectrum signal and said information signal for superimposing said spread-spectrum signal onto said information signal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
31 words
A method comprising the steps of receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal, generating a spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and superimposing said spread-spectrum signal onto said information signal.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
31 words
A method comprising the steps of receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal, generating a spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and superimposing said spread-spectrum signal onto said information signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A receiver for a communications system comprising means for receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal and a superimposed spread-spectrum signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and means responsive to the superimposed spread-spectrum signal for recovering the identifying information therein.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
A receiver for a communications system comprising means for receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal and a superimposed spread-spectrum signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and means responsive to the superimposed spread-spectrum signal for recovering the identifying information therein.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
35 words
A method comprising the steps of receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal and a superimposed spread-spectrum signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and recovering the identifying information in said spread-spectrum signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
35 words
A method comprising the steps of receiving a nonspread-spectrum information signal and a superimposed spread-spectrum signal, said spread-spectrum signal conveying information which identifies said information signal, and recovering the identifying information in said spread-spectrum signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-23 | 1994-01-22 | 1994-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-23 | 1998-01-22 | 1998-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-23 | 2002-01-22 | 2002-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |