US5528281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for accessing multimedia data over public switched telephone network
Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-30
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2013-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprises a central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and orders from a prescribed subscriber. The central office includes a gateway system for conveying routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from the server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with the routing data. An interface at the central office transmits and receives audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on first, second and third signal channels. Each subscriber premises includes an interface for transmitting and receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on the three signal channels. A plurality of subscriber local loops interconnect each subscriber interface and the central office interface. Multimedia information is collected from information providers and stored at media servers that provide a library of data and control sessions. Software modules at the media servers and resident terminals enable interactive multimedia session building, sharing of databases and joint authoring of multimedia presentations.
Inventors
- 👤 John Grady
- 👤 Kenneth Hand
- 👤 John Modrowsky
- 👤 Arthur A. Richard, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47202; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/5307; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/147; H04N7/15; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0435; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1301; H04Q2213/13034; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13141; H04Q2213/13166; H04Q2213/13174; H04Q2213/13176; H04Q2213/13196; H04Q2213/13199; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/13248; H04Q2213/13291; H04Q2213/13292; H04Q2213/13296; H04Q2213/13332; H04Q2213/13337; H04Q2213/13349; H04Q2213/13375; H04Q2213/13376; H04Q2213/13377; H04Q2213/13405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a subscriber interface for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting corresponding subscriber and central office interfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a subscriber interface for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting corresponding subscriber and central office interfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network according to claim 1, wherein said multimedia information server means comprises a database.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The network according to claim 1, wherein said multimedia information server means comprises a plurality of data bases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The network according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of data bases are distributed among plural sites.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network according to claim 4, wherein said data bases are interconnected through said gateway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network according to claim 4, wherein said data bases are interconnected outside said gateway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The network according to claim 1, including means for establishing a communication path between subscriber loops so as to enable multimedia information supplied by said provider to be shared by subscribers interactively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network according to claim 1, wherein said central office interface frequency multiplexes said first, second and third signal channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The network according to claim 8, wherein said first, second and third signal channels are multiplexed on a common transmission medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
180 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface, wherein said subscriber interface supplies uncompressed digital multimedia information signals, received from said central office, to a digital work station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
180 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface, wherein said subscriber interface supplies uncompressed digital multimedia information signals, received from said central office, to a digital work station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
176 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data, wherein said multimedia information signals incoming from the central office are supplied to a personal computer; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
176 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data, wherein said multimedia information signals incoming from the central office are supplied to a personal computer; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
165 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops comprised of coaxial cable and interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
165 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops comprised of coaxial cable and interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
165 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops comprised of optical fibers and interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
165 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops comprised of optical fibers and interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
175 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface, wherein said multimedia information server comprises a plurality of data bases interconnected outside said gateway.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
175 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface, wherein said multimedia information server comprises a plurality of data bases interconnected outside said gateway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
188 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface, including means for establishing a communication path between subscriber loops so as to enable multimedia information supplied by said multimedia information server to be shared by subscribers interactively.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
188 words
A public switched telephone network for providing information from a multimedia information server to any one of a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising: a telephone company central office receiving multimedia information signals from a multimedia information server and subscriber orders from a prescribed subscriber, said central office including a gateway for providing routing data in response to subscriber orders and a switch for routing multimedia signals from said server to the prescribed subscriber in accordance with said routing data; a central office interface including a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, first, second and third signal channels; each said subscriber premises including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit for transmitting or receiving audio telephone service signals, subscriber control signals and digital multimedia information signals on, respectively, the first, second and third signal channels; and a plurality of subscriber local loops interconnecting a corresponding subscriber interface and said central office interface, including means for establishing a communication path between subscriber loops so as to enable multimedia information supplied by said multimedia information server to be shared by subscribers interactively.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
157 words
A central office based public switched telephone network for supplying digital multimedia information from a digital information storage medium to designated subscriber premises, comprising: subscriber loop transmission means for transferring (1) selected digital multimedia information from a central office to said subscriber premises, (2) subscriber order data from said subscriber premises to said central office location, and (3) telephone service signals between said subscriber premises and said central office; switch means at said central office for receiving said subscriber order data from said subscriber loop transmission means; a gateway responsive to said subscriber order data from said switch means for producing routing data; a multimedia information file server means responsive to requests received from said gateway for obtaining selected digital multimedia information from said digital information storage medium; and a digital cross-connect switch responsive to said routing data for transferring said digital multimedia information from said multimedia information file server means to said subscriber loop transmission means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
157 words
A central office based public switched telephone network for supplying digital multimedia information from a digital information storage medium to designated subscriber premises, comprising: subscriber loop transmission means for transferring (1) selected digital multimedia information from a central office to said subscriber premises, (2) subscriber order data from said subscriber premises to said central office location, and (3) telephone service signals between said subscriber premises and said central office; switch means at said central office for receiving said subscriber order data from said subscriber loop transmission means; a gateway responsive to said subscriber order data from said switch means for producing routing data; a multimedia information file server means responsive to requests received from said gateway for obtaining selected digital multimedia information from said digital information storage medium; and a digital cross-connect switch responsive to said routing data for transferring said digital multimedia information from said multimedia information file server means to said subscriber loop transmission means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The network according to claim 16, wherein said subscriber loop transmission means includes means for frequency multiplexing (1)-(3).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The network according to claim 17, wherein the frequency multiplexing means multiplexes (1)-(3) on a common transmission medium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
The network of claim 16, wherein said multimedia information server means comprises: subscriber request processing means responsive to subscriber request data for supplying information request data; session control means responsive to said information request data for supplying information retrieval data and output control data; data storage means responsive to said information retrieval data for supplying multimedia information; and output control means responsive to said output control data for supplying said multimedia information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The network of claim 19, wherein said data storage means includes a plurality of storage media for storing said program data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network according to claim 20, wherein said data storage means includes optical storage means and magnetic storage means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The network according to claim 21, wherein said data storage means includes different storage media having different respective information retrieval times.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network according to claim 16, wherein said multimedia information server means comprises a data base.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The network according to claim 23, wherein said multimedia information server means comprises a plurality of data bases.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The network according to claim 24, wherein said plurality of data bases are distributed among plural sites.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network according to claim 25, wherein said data bases are interconnected through said gateway.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network according to claim 25, wherein said data bases are interconnected outside said gateway.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The network according to claim 16, including means for establishing a communication path between subscriber loops so as to enable multimedia information supplied by said multimedia information file server means to be shared by subscribers interactively.
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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) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |