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US6026086A
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Apparatus, system and method for a unified circuit switched and packet-based communications system architecture with network interworking functionality
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1997-01-08
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Granted: 2000-02-15
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Expires: 2017-01-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus (105), system (100) and method is provided for a unified circuit switched and packet-based communications system architecture having network interworking functionality. The apparatus (105) includes a circuit switched network interface (130), with the circuit switched network interface coupleable to a network switch (135) for communication of a circuit switched network protocol signal with a circuit switched network (160); a packet-based network interface (140), the packet-based network interface coupleable to a router (115) for communication of a packet-based network protocol signal with a packet-based network (150); a transceiver (120) coupleable to the communications channel (103) for the transmission and reception of a first protocol signal; and a communications controller (145), the communications controller coupled to the circuit switched network interface, to the packet-based network interface and to the transceiver, the communications controller responsive, through a set of program instructions and an interworking function, to interconvert the first protocol signal with the circuit switched network protocol signal and to interconvert the first protocol signal with the packet-based network protocol signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Lancelot
- 👤 Douglas J. Newlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/64; H04L12/28; H04L12/2801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for a unified circuit switched and packet-based communications system, the method comprising: establishing a first communication session via a first protocol between a primary station having an interworking function and a secondary station over a common communication path; establishing a second communication session between the primary station and selectively a network circuit switch or a network packet router via a network specific protocol when the network circuit switch and the network packet router are connected to the primary station; selecting a traffic channel; transmitting and receiving data over the selected traffic channel using the first protocol; using the interworking function, translating signaling information between the first protocol and the network specific protocol; using the interworking function, bridging data between the first protocol and the network specific protocol; and releasing the selected traffic channel when either the first or second communication session is terminated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for a unified circuit switched and packet-based communications system, the method comprising: establishing a first communication session via a first protocol between a primary station having an interworking function and a secondary station over a common communication path; establishing a second communication session between the primary station and selectively a network circuit switch or a network packet router via a network specific protocol when the network circuit switch and the network packet router are connected to the primary station; selecting a traffic channel; transmitting and receiving data over the selected traffic channel using the first protocol; using the interworking function, translating signaling information between the first protocol and the network specific protocol; using the interworking function, bridging data between the first protocol and the network specific protocol; and releasing the selected traffic channel when either the first or second communication session is terminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting data to the network using the network specific protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving data from the network using the network specific protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving step further comprises: encapsulating signaling information using the first protocol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving step further comprises: encapsulating packet data using the first protocol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the network is a circuit switched network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the network is a packet-based network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first protocol is a time division multiple access protocol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first protocol is a time division multiple access protocol having a plurality of radio frequency carriers, each radio frequency carrier of the plurality of radio frequency carriers having a plurality of time slots.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data bridging step further comprises: when the network is a circuit switched network, bridging data between the first protocol and the network specific protocol, using an interworking function performing the bridging at a level of internetworking layer one.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data bridging step further comprises: when the network is a packet-based network, bridging data between the first protocol and the network specific protocol, using an interworking function performing the bridging at a level of internetworking layer three.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for a unified circuit switched and packet-based communications system, the apparatus comprising: a circuit switched network interface, the circuit switched network interface coupleable to a network switch for communication of a circuit switched network protocol signal with a circuit switched network; a packet-based network interface, the packet-based network interface coupleable to a router for communication of a packet-based network protocol signal with a packet-based network; a transceiver coupleable to a communications channel for the transmission and reception of a first protocol signal; a control unit having a communications controller, the communications controller coupled to the circuit switched network interface, to the packet-based network interface and to the transceiver, the communications controller responsive, through a set of program instructions and an interworking function, to selectively interconvert the first protocol signal with the circuit switched network protocol signal or the first protocol signal with the packet-based network protocol signal, the control unit for assigning from a pool of traffic channels one or more traffic channels for carrying one or more of the protocol signals.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for a unified circuit switched and packet-based communications system, the apparatus comprising: a circuit switched network interface, the circuit switched network interface coupleable to a network switch for communication of a circuit switched network protocol signal with a circuit switched network; a packet-based network interface, the packet-based network interface coupleable to a router for communication of a packet-based network protocol signal with a packet-based network; a transceiver coupleable to a communications channel for the transmission and reception of a first protocol signal; a control unit having a communications controller, the communications controller coupled to the circuit switched network interface, to the packet-based network interface and to the transceiver, the communications controller responsive, through a set of program instructions and an interworking function, to selectively interconvert the first protocol signal with the circuit switched network protocol signal or the first protocol signal with the packet-based network protocol signal, the control unit for assigning from a pool of traffic channels one or more traffic channels for carrying one or more of the protocol signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communications controller is further responsive to encapsulate signaling information in the first protocol signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communications controller is further responsive to interconvert data of the first protocol signal with data of the circuit switched network protocol signal utilizing an internetworking layer one interworking function.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communications controller is further responsive to interconvert signaling information of the first protocol signal with signaling information of the circuit switched network protocol signal utilizing an internetworking layer three interworking function.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communications controller is further responsive to interconvert packet data of the first protocol signal with packet data of the packet-based network protocol signal utilizing an internetworking layer three interworking function.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is an internet protocol data packet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is an X.25 data packet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is a frame relay data packet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is an asynchronous transfer mode data packet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is a telemetry data packet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communications channel is hybrid fiber coaxial cable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is a V.34 signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is an analog signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is an ISDN signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is a T1 signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is an E1 signal.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for unified circuit switched and packet-based communications, the system comprising: a plurality of secondary stations; a primary station having a communication controller, coupled via a transceiver with a communications traffic channel to one or more of the plurality of secondary stations for the transmission and reception of a first protocol signal at a first predetermined frequency; a circuit switched network interface, the circuit switched network interface coupleable to a network switch for communication of a circuit switched network protocol signal with a circuit switched network; a packet based network interface, the packet-based network interface coupleable to a router for communication of a packet-based network protocol signal with a packet-based network; and the communications controller coupled to the circuit switched network interface, to the packet-based network interface and to the transceiver, the communications controller responsive, through a set of program instructions and an interworking function, to selectively interconvert the first protocol signal with the circuit switched network protocol signal or to interconvert the first protocol signal with the packet-based network protocol signal, the communications controller further enabling transmission and reception of the first protocol signal at an alternate frequency if the first predetermined frequency degrades in quality.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for unified circuit switched and packet-based communications, the system comprising: a plurality of secondary stations; a primary station having a communication controller, coupled via a transceiver with a communications traffic channel to one or more of the plurality of secondary stations for the transmission and reception of a first protocol signal at a first predetermined frequency; a circuit switched network interface, the circuit switched network interface coupleable to a network switch for communication of a circuit switched network protocol signal with a circuit switched network; a packet based network interface, the packet-based network interface coupleable to a router for communication of a packet-based network protocol signal with a packet-based network; and the communications controller coupled to the circuit switched network interface, to the packet-based network interface and to the transceiver, the communications controller responsive, through a set of program instructions and an interworking function, to selectively interconvert the first protocol signal with the circuit switched network protocol signal or to interconvert the first protocol signal with the packet-based network protocol signal, the communications controller further enabling transmission and reception of the first protocol signal at an alternate frequency if the first predetermined frequency degrades in quality.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the primary station is further coupled to a circuit switched network and a packet-based network.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 29 wherein the primary station is responsive, through a set of program instructions and an interworking function, to interconvert the first protocol signal with a circuit switched network protocol signal and to interconvert the first protocol signal with a packet-based network protocol signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the primary station is further responsive to encapsulate signaling information in the first protocol signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the primary station is further responsive to interconvert data of the first protocol signal with data of the circuit switched network protocol signal utilizing an internetworking layer one interworking function.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the primary station is further responsive to interconvert signaling information of the first protocol signal with signaling information of the circuit switched network protocol signal utilizing an internetworking layer three interworking function.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the primary station is further responsive to interconvert packet data of the first protocol signal with packet data of the packet-based network protocol signal utilizing an internetworking layer three interworking function.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is an internet protocol data packet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is an X.25 data packet.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is a frame relay data packet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is an asynchronous transfer mode data packet.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the packet-based network protocol signal is a telemetry data packet.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the communications channel is hybrid fiber coaxial cable.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is a V.34 signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is an analog signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is an ISDN signal.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is a T1 signal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 30 wherein the circuit switched network protocol signal is an E1 signal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 30 further including a control unit for assigning from a pool of traffic channels a predetermined traffic channel for carrying the first protocol signal, the control unit for further releasing to the pool the selected predetermined traffic channel when communication between the primary station and the one or more secondary stations is terminated.
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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) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-08-16 | 2004-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-14 | 2007-08-16 | 2008-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-14 | 2011-08-16 | 2012-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |