Patent US5986691A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5986691A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable modem optimized for high-speed data transmission from the home to the cable head
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-15
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Granted: 1999-11-16
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Expires: 2017-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A cable modem provides upstream data signals in a cable system on a return channel. The upstream data signals are provided in a 50-550 MHz frequency range and yet do not affect the picture quality associated with conventional cable television signals. The data is provided on vestigial sidebands associated with the cable television signals or during black periods associated with the cable television signals. The data can be modulated in accordance with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 P. Michael Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04J; H04J2203/00; H04J2203/0001; H04J2203/0028; H04J2203/003; H04J2203/0033; H04J2203/0039; H04J2203/0041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; and a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel, wherein the modulated data signals are provided on vestigial sidebands of the cable television signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; and a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel, wherein the modulated data signals are provided on vestigial sidebands of the cable television signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; and a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel wherein the modulated data signals are provided during a black period associated with the cable television signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; and a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel wherein the modulated data signals are provided during a black period associated with the cable television signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transmitter of claim 2, wherein the black periods occur during retrace associated with the production of an image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel; and a timing circuit coupled to the cable, the timing circuit determining a black period associated with the cable television signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel; and a timing circuit coupled to the cable, the timing circuit determining a black period associated with the cable television signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel, wherein the cable is coaxial cable, wherein the modulated data signals are modulated by quadrature amplitude modulation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
A transmitter for use with a cable system including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable-head end, the transmitter comprising: a terminal; a data modulator coupled to the terminal, the data modulator providing modulated data signals on a television channel in a frequency band between 50-550 MHz across the cable, wherein the modulated data signals are transmitted so as not to interfere with the simultaneous reception of cable television signals on the television channel, wherein the cable is coaxial cable, wherein the modulated data signals are modulated by quadrature amplitude modulation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A cable modem, comprising: a receiver means for receiving analog television signals on a channel in a frequency range between 50-550 MHz; and a transmitter means for transmitting data signals on a vestigial sideband of carrier waves associated with the analog television signals on said channel in said frequency range, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with the analog television signals existing simultaneously on said channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A cable modem, comprising: a receiver means for receiving analog television signals on a channel in a frequency range between 50-550 MHz; and a transmitter means for transmitting data signals on a vestigial sideband of carrier waves associated with the analog television signals on said channel in said frequency range, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with the analog television signals existing simultaneously on said channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cable modem of claim 6, wherein the analog television signals have a 6 MHz bandwidth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cable modem of claim 6, wherein the vestigial sideband has a bandwidth of 1.25 MHz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cable modem of claim 6, wherein the digital signals are modulated with a quadrature amplitude modulation technique.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cable modem of claim 6, wherein the data signals are modulated with a phase modulation technique.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cable modem of claim 6, wherein the data signals are scrambled.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals existing simultaneously on the television channel, wherein the data signals are transmitted on a vestigial sideband associated with the analog television signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals existing simultaneously on the television channel, wherein the data signals are transmitted on a vestigial sideband associated with the analog television signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transmitter of claim 12 wherein the vestigial sideband has a bandwidth of 0.75 MHz.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals wherein the data signals are provided in the black period associated with the analog television signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals wherein the data signals are provided in the black period associated with the analog television signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable head-end the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals existing simultaneously on the television channel; and a timing circuit coupled to the cable, the timing circuit determining a black period associated with the analog television signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, including a cable, the cable being coupled between the transmitter and a cable head-end the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals existing simultaneously on the television channel; and a timing circuit coupled to the cable, the timing circuit determining a black period associated with the analog television signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals; a timing circuit coupled to the cable, the timing circuit determining a black period associated with the analog television signals; and wherein the data signals are provided during the black period.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
73 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals; a timing circuit coupled to the cable, the timing circuit determining a black period associated with the analog television signals; and wherein the data signals are provided during the black period.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
61 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals existing simultaneously on the television channel, wherein the return channel is a vestigial sideband associated with the television channel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
61 words
A transmitter for use in a cable system, the transmitter providing data signals between 50-550 MHz on a return channel within a television channel, wherein transmission of the data signals does not adversely affect the picture quality associated with analog television signals existing simultaneously on the television channel, wherein the return channel is a vestigial sideband associated with the television channel.
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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) | 2002-11-15 | 2003-05-17 | 2003-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-15 | 2007-05-17 | 2007-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-15 | 2011-05-17 | 2011-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |