US5608447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Full service network
Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc
•
Filing: 1994-05-27
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Granted: 1997-03-04
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Expires: 2014-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A digital switching network is described which accommodates a full range of broadband and narrowband digital technologies, including video, wideband data, narrowband data, video-on-demand and telephone channels in an integrated manner. Optical fiber connects information sources to the switching component of the network utilizing a standardized transport stream such as SONET OC-N. A broadband ATM switch, a digital cross-connect switch or other distribution mechanisms may be utilized to interconnect information sources and subscribers. A level 1 gateway is utilized to control access to all information resources on the network.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Farry
- 👤 John A. Bigham
- 👤 Kenneth R. Brooks
- 👤 Amos H. Lucas, Jr.
- 👤 Colton E. O'Donoghue, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, and one or more video bridging devices which provide duplicate copies of output signals from said one or more sources of video information to a plurality of distribution components.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, and one or more video bridging devices which provide duplicate copies of output signals from said one or more sources of video information to a plurality of distribution components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which the source interface includes an ATM video switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which the source interface includes an ATM video switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The network of claim 2 in which said ATM video switch includes a permanent virtual circuit (PVC) controller controlled by said gateway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The network of claim 3 in which the first gateway means initiates a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber by communicating with said PVC controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which said subscriber interface comprises an optical network unit (ONU).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which said subscriber interface comprises an optical network unit (ONU).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The network of claim 5 in which the optical network unit is connected to said distribution component by one or more optical fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 6 in which the optical fibers operate in accordance with SONET standards.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The network of claim 5 in which data is sent from said distribution component to said ONU, and the data is synchronous data in ATM cell format.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The network of claim 5 in which data is sent from said distribution component to said optical network unit in one or more dedicated time slots for each subscriber end device serviced by the ONU.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The network of claim 5 in which a connection between the ONU and a subscriber is coaxial cable or twisted pair or both.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 5 in which a power source at the ONU powers the ONU and subscriber end devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 9 in which the subscriber end device is a digital entertainment terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The network of claim 9 in which the ONU services a wireless network node.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The network of claim 13 in which the wireless network node is a personal communication service network node.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
121 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more information servers; an ATM video switch; one or more optical network units; one or more distribution switches selectively connecting information received from said one or more information servers over said ATM video switch to said optical network units; one or more groups of one or more digital entertainment terminals serviced by respective ones of said optical network units; a level 1 gateway, with a port on said ATM switch; and a signalling network connecting digital entertainment terminals to the level 1 gateway via respective optical network units; whereby a digital entertainment terminal connects to the level 1 gateway to obtain services of the information servers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
121 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more information servers; an ATM video switch; one or more optical network units; one or more distribution switches selectively connecting information received from said one or more information servers over said ATM video switch to said optical network units; one or more groups of one or more digital entertainment terminals serviced by respective ones of said optical network units; a level 1 gateway, with a port on said ATM switch; and a signalling network connecting digital entertainment terminals to the level 1 gateway via respective optical network units; whereby a digital entertainment terminal connects to the level 1 gateway to obtain services of the information servers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network of claim 15 in which said distribution switch is a digital cross-connect switch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
A network for distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of digitized video information; a distribution component providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting said one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface providing each subscriber a communication connection to said distribution means; means authorizing establishment of connection between a source of video information and a subscriber interface through said distribution component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
A network for distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of digitized video information; a distribution component providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting said one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface providing each subscriber a communication connection to said distribution means; means authorizing establishment of connection between a source of video information and a subscriber interface through said distribution component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The network of claim 17 wherein the means authorizing establishment of a connection further includes a signalling network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network of claim 17 in which the source interface includes an ATM video switch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
121 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more information servers; an ATM video switch; one or more subscriber interface units; one or more distribution switches selectively connecting information received from said one or more information servers over said ATM video switch to said subscriber interface units; one or more groups of one or more digital entertainment terminals serviced by respective ones of said subscriber interface units; a level 1 gateway, with a port on said ATM switch; and a signalling network connecting digital entertainment terminals to the level 1 gateway via respective subscriber interface units; whereby a digital entertainment terminal connects to the level 1 gateway to obtain services of the information servers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
121 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more information servers; an ATM video switch; one or more subscriber interface units; one or more distribution switches selectively connecting information received from said one or more information servers over said ATM video switch to said subscriber interface units; one or more groups of one or more digital entertainment terminals serviced by respective ones of said subscriber interface units; a level 1 gateway, with a port on said ATM switch; and a signalling network connecting digital entertainment terminals to the level 1 gateway via respective subscriber interface units; whereby a digital entertainment terminal connects to the level 1 gateway to obtain services of the information servers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
122 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which the source interface includes an ATM video switch, and in which a PVC controller is connected via a level 1 gateway to a signalling network capable of transmitting signalling to the PVC controller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
122 words
A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which the source interface includes an ATM video switch, and in which a PVC controller is connected via a level 1 gateway to a signalling network capable of transmitting signalling to the PVC controller.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The network of claim 21 in which the signalling network is X.25 network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
93 words
A network for distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of digitized and compressed video information; a distribution component providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting said one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface providing each subscriber a communication connection to said distribution means; means authorizing establishment of connection between a source of video information and a subscriber interface through said distribution component, in which the source interface includes a network of ATM switches.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
93 words
A network for distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising: one or more sources of digitized and compressed video information; a distribution component providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting said one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface providing each subscriber a communication connection to said distribution means; means authorizing establishment of connection between a source of video information and a subscriber interface through said distribution component, in which the source interface includes a network of ATM switches.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The network of claim 23 in which the subscriber interface receives channel selection signals from the subscriber and extracts data from the distribution component which corresponds to the channel selected for transmission to the subscriber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 24, further comprising: a second source of digitized video information; means for formatting digitized video information from said second source and as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells; and means for controlling said ATM network so as to selectively route information from said first source to a first one of the digital entertainment terminals and to selectively route information from said second source to a second one of the digital entertainment terminals.
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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) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |