US5862324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Broadband communications network services access platform
Assignee: KEEN SELECT Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-08-23
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Granted: 1999-01-19
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Expires: 2014-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling access to, service transmission from, and use of an information transmission network which provides an end-user with at will access to the broadband/narrowband service networks deployed in the cable television industry, telephone industry, the multi-media information/services network technology, and the video dial tone industry. Allows the end-user to control the type of services to which such end-user has access to. Network service providers have the ability to provide targeted commercials. Independent interfaced subsystems are combined to yield the network services access system.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis R. Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25883; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/14; H04L12/1453; H04L12/28; H04L12/2801; H04N21/25891; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A broadband communications network services access platform host that receives, transmits, processes, and stores information signals at the headend of a transmission network having elements including down-line network service access platforms, the transmission network carrying broadband optical and/or electrical signals which include control signals, and which represent voice information, digital and analog data information including customer billing information, and imagery information including video, the broadband communications network services access platform host comprising: a. a means for storing information, such information including a host operating system; b. a central processing unit-based broadband information network access controller, responsive to the operating system stored within the means for storing information, for controlling the transmission and receipt of digital information and control signals; c. a receiving means, responsive to the network access controller, for receiving customer billing information from the network services access platforms; and d. a communication means, responsive to the network access controller, for communicating with at least one network services access platform in the transmission network, the communication means output to the network services access platform including operating and application program data for the network services access platforms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A broadband communications network services access platform host that receives, transmits, processes, and stores information signals at the headend of a transmission network having elements including down-line network service access platforms, the transmission network carrying broadband optical and/or electrical signals which include control signals, and which represent voice information, digital and analog data information including customer billing information, and imagery information including video, the broadband communications network services access platform host comprising: a. a means for storing information, such information including a host operating system; b. a central processing unit-based broadband information network access controller, responsive to the operating system stored within the means for storing information, for controlling the transmission and receipt of digital information and control signals; c. a receiving means, responsive to the network access controller, for receiving customer billing information from the network services access platforms; and d. a communication means, responsive to the network access controller, for communicating with at least one network services access platform in the transmission network, the communication means output to the network services access platform including operating and application program data for the network services access platforms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The network services access platform host of claim 1, in which the network further includes a network control center with a control center database, the host further including a means for interfacing with the network control center database.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The network service access platform host of claim 2, in which said network control center database includes an end-user specific database having a plurality of end-user specific records.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The network services access platform host of claim 1, further including a means for reporting network diagnostic data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The network services access platform host of claim 4, in which said reporting means includes automating means for automatically accomplishing flow of said diagnostic data between the network control center and said host.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network services access platform host of claim 5, in which said automating means includes a means for providing formatted and unformatted data output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The network services access platform host of claim 1, in which said central processing unit includes at least one 2 N bit master processor and at least one 2 N-1 bit slave processor to increase processing power and speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The network services access platform host of claim 1, in which said means for storing information includes random access memory, read only memory, and mass storage memory, said mass storage memory including fixed and removable memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The network services access platform host of claim 1, in which said receiving means transmits program information to said communication means, for transmission of the program information to a network services access platform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The network services access platform host of claim 1, in which said communication means includes a microprocessor, said microprocessor communicating with said central processing unit and controlling the flow of program data through said communication means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The network service access platform host of claim 10, in which said communication means includes a means for formatting programming information into a readable format for said network services access platform prior to transmission.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The network services access platform host of claim 10, in which said communication means accepts addressed data from a network services access platform, and includes a means for translating accepted addressed data from said network services access platform into a readable format used by said host.
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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) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |