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US6002502A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Switchable optical network unit

Assignee: Bayer Corp
•
Filing: 1995-12-07
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Granted: 1999-12-14
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Expires: 2015-12-07
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Abstract

Abstract A switch in an optical network unit selectively couples line side ports of the line cards of the unit to individual line circuits in drop cable wiring extending to the customer premises served by the unit. The switchable optical network unit (SONU) permits rapid automated upgrades of service. For example, automatic switching of a line circuit to a line card offering an upgraded service together with automatic provisioning of the SONU to activate service through that line card provides the new upgraded service over the existing line circuit, without requiring a technician to install a new line card or manually connect the line card to the line circuit. If the drop cable to the customer premises includes a primary line circuit and an auxiliary line circuit, the line port can be switched over from the primary line circuit to the auxiliary line circuit to automatically restore service in the event of a failure of the primary line circuit. Alternatively, the SONU can automatically connect a line card for a new service to the auxiliary line circuit to provide second line service to the customer premise.

Inventors

  • 👤 Steve Pomp
  • 👤 Walter Ragg
  • 👤 John Blake
  • 👤 Carolyn Smith
  • 👤 Patricia Highley
  • 👤 John Mullally

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 23:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04Q11/0001; H04Q11/0005; H04J; H04J2203/00; H04J2203/0001; H04J2203/0028; H04J2203/003; H04J2203/0033; H04Q11/0062; H04Q11/0067; H04Q11/0071

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim 102 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a plurality of line cards, each line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port; a plurality of terminals for connection to a plurality of customer drop lines; a switch coupled between the customer drop line ports of the line cards and the terminals, for providing selective connections between the customer drop line ports of the line cards and the terminals; and a controller for automatically activating the switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 102 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a plurality of line cards, each line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port; a plurality of terminals for connection to a plurality of customer drop lines; a switch coupled between the customer drop line ports of the line cards and the terminals, for providing selective connections between the customer drop line ports of the line cards and the terminals; and a controller for automatically activating the switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of line cards comprises: a first group of line cards providing a first type of line sided service; and a second group of line cards providing a second type of line sided service different from the first type of line sided service.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 37 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 2, wherein: the first group of line cards provide an analog telephone service; and the second group of line cards provide an integrated services digital network (ISDN) type service.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 3, wherein the plurality of line cards further comprises a third group of line cards providing a broadband service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 2, wherein: the first group of line cards provide a telephone service; and the second group of line cards provide a broadband service.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 1, wherein the optical/electrical interface comprises an interface for coupling to upstream and downstream optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 43 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 1, wherein the optical/electrical interface comprises: a primary optical/electrical interface for coupling to a first optical fiber digital communication link; and an auxiliary optical/electrical interface for coupling to a second optical fiber digital communication link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 39 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 7, wherein: the primary optical/electrical interface comprises a coupling to a first pair of optical fibers; and the auxiliary optical/electrical interface comprises a coupling to a second pair of optical fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 1, wherein the multiplexer/demultiplexer comprises a time slot interchanger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 1, wherein the terminals provide couplings for twisted wire pair drop lines.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 34 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 1, further comprising a diagnostic device for conducting test measurements on drop lines coupled to the terminals and communicating test measurement results via the optical/electrical interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 1, wherein: the controller receives control signals via the optical/electrical interface; and the controller activates the switch in response to the received control signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 126 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port; a first customer drop cable wiring terminal for connection to a primary drop cable wiring circuit extending to a customer premise; a second customer drop cable wiring terminal for connection to an auxiliary drop cable wiring circuit extending to the customer premise; a switch coupled between the customer drop line port of the line card and the terminals, for providing selective connections between the customer drop line port of the line card and the terminals; and a controller for automatically activating the switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 126 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port; a first customer drop cable wiring terminal for connection to a primary drop cable wiring circuit extending to a customer premise; a second customer drop cable wiring terminal for connection to an auxiliary drop cable wiring circuit extending to the customer premise; a switch coupled between the customer drop line port of the line card and the terminals, for providing selective connections between the customer drop line port of the line card and the terminals; and a controller for automatically activating the switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 32 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 13, wherein: the controller receives control signals via the optical/electrical interface; and the controller activates the switch in response to the received control signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 18 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 13, wherein the line card provides an analog telephone service.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 13, wherein the line card provides an integrated services digital network (ISDN) type service.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 17 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 13, wherein the line card provides a broadband service.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 34 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 13, further comprising a diagnostic device for conducting test measurements on the circuits coupled to the terminals and communicating test measurement results via the optical/electrical interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 19 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 13, wherein the terminals provide couplings for twisted wire pair circuits.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 149 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a first line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port in accord with a first service protocol; a second line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port in accord with a second service protocol that is different from the first service protocol; a customer drop cable wiring terminal for connection to a drop line extending to a customer premise; a switch coupled between the customer drop line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal, for providing selective connections between the customer drop line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal; and a controller for automatically activating the switch.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 149 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a first line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port in accord with a first service protocol; a second line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer drop line port in accord with a second service protocol that is different from the first service protocol; a customer drop cable wiring terminal for connection to a drop line extending to a customer premise; a switch coupled between the customer drop line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal, for providing selective connections between the customer drop line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal; and a controller for automatically activating the switch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 32 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 20, wherein: the controller receives control signals via the optical/electrical interface; and the controller activates the switch in response to the received control signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 19 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 20, wherein the first line card provides an analog telephone service.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 23 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 22, wherein the second line card provides an integrated services digital network (ISDN) type service.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 18 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 22, wherein the second line card provides a broadband service.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 23 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 20, wherein the first line card provides an integrated services digital network (ISDN) type service.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 18 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 25, wherein the second line card provides a broadband service.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 22 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 20, wherein the terminal provides a coupling for a twisted wire pair drop line.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 150 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, a method comprising the steps of: coupling communication signals for one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through a switch in a first state from and to a first circuit in a drop cable extending to the one customer premise, wherein said switch is an element of the optical network unit; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state; and coupling communication signals for the one customer premise to and from the assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through the switch in the second state from and to a second circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 150 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, a method comprising the steps of: coupling communication signals for one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through a switch in a first state from and to a first circuit in a drop cable extending to the one customer premise, wherein said switch is an element of the optical network unit; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state; and coupling communication signals for the one customer premise to and from the assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through the switch in the second state from and to a second circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 36 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein each coupling step comprises processing communication signals for the one customer premises through a line card assigned to provide a predetermined type of service for the one customer premise.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 16 words
A method as in claim 29, wherein the predetermined type of service comprises analog telephone service.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method as in claim 29, wherein the predetermined type of service comprises an integrated services digital network (ISDN) service.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 16 words
A method as in claim 29, wherein the predetermined type of service comprises a broadband service.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein the step of automatically activating the switch comprises receiving a switching control signal via the fiber optic communication link.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 209 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, a method comprising the steps of: coupling communication signals for one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through a switch in a first state from and to a first circuit in a drop cable extending to the one customer premise, wherein said switch is an element of the optical network unit; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state; coupling communication signals for the one customer premise to and from the assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through the switch in the second state from and to a second circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise; transmitting another control signal to a network interface device at the one customer premise; and in response to said another control signal, disconnecting customer premises wiring from the first circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise, and connecting the customer premises wiring to the second circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 209 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, a method comprising the steps of: coupling communication signals for one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through a switch in a first state from and to a first circuit in a drop cable extending to the one customer premise, wherein said switch is an element of the optical network unit; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state; coupling communication signals for the one customer premise to and from the assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link through the switch in the second state from and to a second circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise; transmitting another control signal to a network interface device at the one customer premise; and in response to said another control signal, disconnecting customer premises wiring from the first circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise, and connecting the customer premises wiring to the second circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 254 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, said optical network unit including a plurality of line cards for providing a plurality of different types of services and a switch for selectively coupling line ports of the line cards to circuits in the drop cables, a method comprising the steps of: coupling communication signals relating to a first type of service for one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to and from a first line card providing a first type of service; routing signals relating to the first type of service to and from the line port of the first line card through the switch in a first state from and to a circuit in a drop cable extending to the one customer premise; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state; and coupling communication signals relating to a second type of service for the one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to and from a second line card providing a second type of service; routing signals relating to the second type of service to and from the line port of the second line card through the switch in the second state from and to the circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 254 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, said optical network unit including a plurality of line cards for providing a plurality of different types of services and a switch for selectively coupling line ports of the line cards to circuits in the drop cables, a method comprising the steps of: coupling communication signals relating to a first type of service for one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to and from a first line card providing a first type of service; routing signals relating to the first type of service to and from the line port of the first line card through the switch in a first state from and to a circuit in a drop cable extending to the one customer premise; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state; and coupling communication signals relating to a second type of service for the one customer premise to and from an assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to and from a second line card providing a second type of service; routing signals relating to the second type of service to and from the line port of the second line card through the switch in the second state from and to the circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as in claim 35, wherein: the first type of service comprises analog telephone service; and the second type of service comprises an integrated services digital network (ISDN) service.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as in claim 35, wherein: the first type of service comprises analog telephone service; and the second type of service comprises a broadband service.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as in claim 35, wherein: the first type of service comprises an integrated services digital network (ISDN) service; and the second type of service comprises a broadband service.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as in claim 35, wherein the step of automatically activating the switch comprises receiving a switching control signal via the fiber optic communication link.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 278 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, said optical network unit including a plurality of line cards for providing service to line circuits and a switch for selectively coupling line ports of the line cards to line circuits in the drop cables, a method comprising the steps of: providing a primary line circuit and an auxiliary line circuit in a drop cable extending from the optical network unit to one customer premise; coupling first communication signals for the one customer premise to and from a first assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to a first line card assigned to provide a first service to the one customer premise; routing signals relating to the first service to and from the line port of the first line card through the switch in a first state from and to the primary line circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state and automatically assigning a second line card to provide a second service to the one customer premise; coupling second communication signals for the one customer premise to and from a second assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to the second line card; routing signals relating to the second service to and from the line port of the second line card through the switch in the second state from and to the auxiliary line circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 278 words
In an optical network unit providing a two-way interface between a multi-channel fiber optic communication link to a central office and a plurality of drop cables extending to a plurality of customer premises, said optical network unit including a plurality of line cards for providing service to line circuits and a switch for selectively coupling line ports of the line cards to line circuits in the drop cables, a method comprising the steps of: providing a primary line circuit and an auxiliary line circuit in a drop cable extending from the optical network unit to one customer premise; coupling first communication signals for the one customer premise to and from a first assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to a first line card assigned to provide a first service to the one customer premise; routing signals relating to the first service to and from the line port of the first line card through the switch in a first state from and to the primary line circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise; in response to a control signal, automatically activating the switch to a second state and automatically assigning a second line card to provide a second service to the one customer premise; coupling second communication signals for the one customer premise to and from a second assigned channel on the fiber optic communication link to the second line card; routing signals relating to the second service to and from the line port of the second line card through the switch in the second state from and to the auxiliary line circuit in the drop cable extending to the one customer premise.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein the primary line circuit and the auxiliary line circuit comprise telephone line circuits.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein at least one of the first and second services comprises analog telephone service.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein at least one of the first and second services comprises an integrated services digital network (ISDN) service.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein at least one of the first and second services comprises a broadband service.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein the first and second services comprise telephone services.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein the step of automatically activating the switch comprises receiving a switching control signal via the fiber optic communication link.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 126 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber of a communication network; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a plurality of line cards, each line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer line port; a plurality of terminals for electrical connection to a plurality of wire lines to customer premises; a switch coupled between the customer line ports of the line cards and the terminals, for providing selective electrical connections between the customer line ports of the line cards and the terminals; and a controller for receiving control signals via the optical/electrical interface and the multiplexer/demultiplexer and for automatically activating the switch in response to the received control signals.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 126 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber of a communication network; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a plurality of line cards, each line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and one customer line port; a plurality of terminals for electrical connection to a plurality of wire lines to customer premises; a switch coupled between the customer line ports of the line cards and the terminals, for providing selective electrical connections between the customer line ports of the line cards and the terminals; and a controller for receiving control signals via the optical/electrical interface and the multiplexer/demultiplexer and for automatically activating the switch in response to the received control signals.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 20 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 47, wherein the terminals provide electrical connections for twisted pair telephone lines.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 67 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 47, further comprising a diagnostic device for conducting test measurements on lines coupled to the terminals, wherein: the controller activates the diagnostic device in response to control signals from the communication network received via the optical/electrical interface and the multiplexer/demultiplexer, and the controller communicates test measurement results from the diagnostic device to the communication network via the optical/electrical interface.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 43 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 47, wherein the optical/electrical interface comprises: a primary optical/electrical interface for coupling to a first optical fiber digital communication link; and an auxiliary optical/electrical interface for coupling to a second optical fiber digital communication link.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 168 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber of a communication network; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a first line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and a first customer line port in accord with a first service protocol; a second line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and a second customer line port in accord with a second service protocol that is different from the first service protocol; a customer drop cable wiring terminal for electrical connection to a wire line extending to a customer premise; a switch coupled between the customer line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal, for providing selective electrical connections between the customer line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal; and a controller for receiving control signals via the optical/electrical interface and automatically activating the switch in response to the received control signals.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 168 words
A switchable optical network unit comprising: an optical/electrical interface for coupling to at least one optical fiber of a communication network; a multiplexer/demultiplexer electrically coupled to the optical/electrical interface; a first line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and a first customer line port in accord with a first service protocol; a second line card for providing a two-way communications interface between the multiplexer/demultiplexer and a second customer line port in accord with a second service protocol that is different from the first service protocol; a customer drop cable wiring terminal for electrical connection to a wire line extending to a customer premise; a switch coupled between the customer line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal, for providing selective electrical connections between the customer line ports of the first and second line cards and the terminal; and a controller for receiving control signals via the optical/electrical interface and automatically activating the switch in response to the received control signals.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 21 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 51, wherein the terminal provides electrical connection for a twisted pair telephone line.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 69 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 51, further comprising a diagnostic device for conducting test measurements on a drop line coupled to the terminal, wherein: the controller activates the diagnostic device in response to control signals received from the communication network via the optical/electrical interface and the multiplexer/demultiplexer and the controller communicates test measurement results from the diagnostic device to the communication network via the optical/electrical interface.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 43 words
A switchable optical network unit as in claim 51, wherein the optical/electrical interface comprises: a primary optical/electrical interface for coupling to a first optical fiber digital communication link; and an auxiliary optical/electrical interface for coupling to a second optical fiber digital communication link.

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3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-12-13 2003-06-14 2003-12-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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