US6452925B1 — Universal access multimedia data network

Claim 1

Independent Claim 225 words

A communication system, comprising: a plurality of splitters for connection to network-ends of a plurality of local loops to subscriber premises, each splitter for splitting signals received over a respective one of the local loops from a respective subscriber premises into data signals and telephony signals and for combining data signals and telephony signals for transport over the respective local loop to the respective subscriber premises; a plurality of digital subscriber line modems, each digital subscriber line modem coupled to a respective one of the splitters for supplying data to and receiving data from the splitter for the respective local loop; and a data switch coupled for two-way data communication in accord with a local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems with customer premises data equipment, over the local loops, wherein: the data switch also is for providing data communication access to a wide area packet switched network using a packet protocol, communications to and from the packet switched network for the customer premises data equipment utilize the packet protocol transported in the two-way data communication in accord with the local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems and over the local loops, and the two-way data communication of the data switch is available to customer premises data equipment at each of the subscriber premises on a substantially always-on basis.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 225 words

A communication system, comprising: a plurality of splitters for connection to network-ends of a plurality of local loops to subscriber premises, each splitter for splitting signals received over a respective one of the local loops from a respective subscriber premises into data signals and telephony signals and for combining data signals and telephony signals for transport over the respective local loop to the respective subscriber premises; a plurality of digital subscriber line modems, each digital subscriber line modem coupled to a respective one of the splitters for supplying data to and receiving data from the splitter for the respective local loop; and a data switch coupled for two-way data communication in accord with a local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems with customer premises data equipment, over the local loops, wherein: the data switch also is for providing data communication access to a wide area packet switched network using a packet protocol, communications to and from the packet switched network for the customer premises data equipment utilize the packet protocol transported in the two-way data communication in accord with the local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems and over the local loops, and the two-way data communication of the data switch is available to customer premises data equipment at each of the subscriber premises on a substantially always-on basis.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

A communication system as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one server coupled for communication via the data switch, for dynamically administering packet protocol addresses for communications of the customer premises data equipment.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

A communication system as in claim 2 , wherein said at least one server comprises a dynamic host configuration protocol server for providing dynamic temporary assignment of one of a plurality of packet protocol addresses.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

A communication system as in claim 1 , wherein: the local area network protocol comprises an Ethernet protocol; and the packet protocol comprises an Internet protocol.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 35 words

A communication system as in claim 4 , further comprising at least one server coupled for communication via the data switch, for dynamically administering Internet protocol addresses for communications of the customer premises data equipment.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

A communication system as in claim 5 , wherein said at least one server comprises a dynamic host configuration protocol server for providing dynamic temporary assignment of one of a plurality of Internet protocol addresses.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

A communication system as in claim 1 , wherein the data switch comprises a switch for routing frames in the local area network protocol.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

A communication system as in claim 1 , wherein data switch comprises a gateway router for routing packets in the packet protocol.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

A communication system as in claim 1 , wherein the digital subscriber line modems comprise asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) modems.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 194 words

A communication system, comprising: a plurality of digital subscriber line modems for connection to a plurality of local loops to subscriber premises, each digital subscriber line modem for supplying data to and receiving data over a respective one of the local loops; a data switch system coupled for two-way data communication with customer premises data equipment, in accord with a local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems and over the respective local loops, wherein the data switch system also is for providing data communication access to a packet switched network using a packet protocol, and communications to and from the packet switched network for the customer premises data equipment utilize the packet protocol transported in the two-way data communication in accord with the local area network protocol via the digital subscriber line modems and over the local loops; and at least one server coupled for communication via the data switch system, for dynamically administering packet protocol addresses for communications of the customer premises data equipment, wherein the server administers each packet protocol address by routing to the packet protocol address associated with an identifier entered via the customer premises data equipment.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 194 words

A communication system, comprising: a plurality of digital subscriber line modems for connection to a plurality of local loops to subscriber premises, each digital subscriber line modem for supplying data to and receiving data over a respective one of the local loops; a data switch system coupled for two-way data communication with customer premises data equipment, in accord with a local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems and over the respective local loops, wherein the data switch system also is for providing data communication access to a packet switched network using a packet protocol, and communications to and from the packet switched network for the customer premises data equipment utilize the packet protocol transported in the two-way data communication in accord with the local area network protocol via the digital subscriber line modems and over the local loops; and at least one server coupled for communication via the data switch system, for dynamically administering packet protocol addresses for communications of the customer premises data equipment, wherein the server administers each packet protocol address by routing to the packet protocol address associated with an identifier entered via the customer premises data equipment.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 36 words

A communication system as in claim 10 , wherein the two-way data communication of the data switch system is available to customer premises data equipment at each of the customer premises on a substantially always-on basis.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 41 words

A communication system as in claim 10 , wherein said at least one server comprises a dynamic host configuration protocol server for providing dynamic temporary assignment of one of a plurality of packet protocol addresses to individual customer premises data equipment.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

A communication system as in claim 10 , wherein: the local area network protocol comprises an Ethernet protocol; and the packet protocol comprises an Internet protocol.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

A communication system as in claim 10 , wherein the data switch system comprises a switch for routing frames in the local area network protocol.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

A communication system as in claim 14 , wherein the switch for routing frames multiplexes frames received from the digital subscriber modems together for upstream transport and demultiplexes frames from downstream data and supplies demultiplexed frames to the digital subscriber line modems.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 48 words

A communication system as in claim 14 , wherein the data switch system further comprises a gateway router, coupled to the switch, for coupling to a wide area internetwork as the packet switched network, for routing packets in the packet protocol to and from the wide area internetwork.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

A communication system as in claim 16 , wherein the gateway router is for routing packets via the public Internet.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 175 words

A communication system, comprising: a plurality of digital subscriber line modems for network-side connection to a respective plurality of local loops to customer premises on a one-to-one basis, each digital subscriber line modem for supplying data to and receiving data from data equipment over a respective one of the local loops on a substantially always-on basis; a data switch coupled for two-way data communication with the customer premises data equipment via the digital subscriber line modems and over the respective local loops on a substantially always-on basis, such that the switch and digital subscriber line modems are for providing data communication access to a packet switched network, wherein: the communications between the data switch and the customer premises data equipment utilize a local area network protocol, the data communication access to the packet switched network utilizes a packet protocol, and packet protocol communications between the data switch and the customer premises data equipment utilize the packet protocol transported in the local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems and over the local loops.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 175 words

A communication system, comprising: a plurality of digital subscriber line modems for network-side connection to a respective plurality of local loops to customer premises on a one-to-one basis, each digital subscriber line modem for supplying data to and receiving data from data equipment over a respective one of the local loops on a substantially always-on basis; a data switch coupled for two-way data communication with the customer premises data equipment via the digital subscriber line modems and over the respective local loops on a substantially always-on basis, such that the switch and digital subscriber line modems are for providing data communication access to a packet switched network, wherein: the communications between the data switch and the customer premises data equipment utilize a local area network protocol, the data communication access to the packet switched network utilizes a packet protocol, and packet protocol communications between the data switch and the customer premises data equipment utilize the packet protocol transported in the local area network protocol, via the digital subscriber line modems and over the local loops.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 35 words

A communication system as in claim 18 , further comprising at least one server coupled for communication via the data switch, for dynamically administering packet protocol addresses for communications of the customer premises data equipment.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 21 words

A communication system as in claim 18 , wherein the digital subscriber line modems comprise asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) modems.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

A communication system as in claim 18 , wherein the data switch comprises a switch for routing frames in the local area network protocol.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 28 words

A communication system as in claim 21 , wherein: the local area network protocol comprises an Ethernet protocol, and the switch for routing frames comprises an Ethernet switch.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

A communication system as in claim 18 , wherein the data switch comprises a gateway router for routing packets in the packet protocol.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 148 words

A method of providing data communication access to a packet switched internetwork, comprising the steps of: providing digital subscriber line data service over each of a plurality of subscriber telephone lines; providing local area network transport between a hub location and customer premises over the digital subscriber line data service; providing packet transport for communication of customer premises data equipment to and from the packet switched internetwork using the local area network transport over the digital subscriber line data service; and dynamically assigning packet protocol addresses to individual pieces of customer premises data equipment using the local area network transport over the digital subscriber line data service, for use in communications via the packet switched internetwork, wherein the server administers each packet protocol address by routing to the packet protocol address associated with an identifier entered via the customer premises data equipment. ease add the following new claims.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as in claim 24 , wherein the packet switched internetwork comprises the public Internet.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as in claim 24 , wherein the providing steps all are performed in such a manner as to offer substantially always-on data communication access to the packet switched internetwork.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as in claim 24 , wherein the digital subscriber line data service comprises an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) data service.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as in claim 27 , wherein the local area network transport utilizes an Ethernet protocol transported via the ADSL data service.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as in claim 28 , wherein the packet transport utilizes a packet protocol transported via the Ethernet protocol on the ADSL service.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method as in claim 29 , wherein the packet protocol comprises an Internet protocol.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as in claim 24 , wherein said hardware address is a media access control address, said media access control address being an address for an interface card.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method as in claim 31 , wherein said interface card is used to connect said customer premises data equipment with said packet switched internetwork.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as in claim 24 , wherein a server dynamically assign a packet protocol address to said customer premises data equipment.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as in claim 33 , further comprising: authenticating said server, said customer premises data equipment verifying the authenticity of said server.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 24 , wherein said username, said password are different for each service provider.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as in claim 24 , wherein said hardware address identifies said customer premises data equipment.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method as in claim 24 , further comprising: using said combination of said username, said password and said hardware address to determine a dynamic host configuration protocol server, said dynamic host configuration protocol server dynamically assigning said packet protocol address.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method as in claim 37 , further comprising: sending a first domain name service request to a first domain name service server, said step of sending said first domain name service request being performed to identify said dynamic host configuration protocol server.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method as in claim 38 , further comprising: contacting said dynamic host configuration protocol server, said customer premises data equipment contacting said dynamic host configuration protocol server once said dynamic host configuration protocol server has been identified.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 60 words

A method as in claim 38 , further comprising: sending a second domain name service request to a second domain name service server when said first domain name service server is unable to identify said dynamic host configuration protocol server, said step of sending said second domain name service request being performed to identify said dynamic host configuration protocol server.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method as in claim 40 , further comprising: contacting said dynamic host configuration protocol server, said customer premises data equipment contacting said dynamic host configuration protocol server once said dynamic host configuration protocol server has been identified.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 37 , wherein said dynamic host configuration protocol server includes a billing capability.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-09-16	2006-03-18	2006-09-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-09-16	2010-03-18	2010-09-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-09-16	2014-03-18	2014-09-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Universal access multimedia data network

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag