US6456714B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for interfacing between multimedia network and telecommunications network
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1999-03-18
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Granted: 2002-09-24
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Expires: 2019-03-18
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods consistent with the present invention include a peripheral device connected to a telecommunications network via a telephone line and connected to a multimedia network via a high-speed serial interface. The peripheral device establishes and maintains multiple logical connections between devices in the multimedia network and devices in the telecommunications network.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisato Shima
- 👤 Sho Kou
- 👤 Chenchu Chilamakuri
- 👤 Qi Benjamin Hu
- 👤 Ratna Vemuri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A telecommunications device within a user's premises, connected via a telephone line to a telecommunications network and connected via a serial bus to a multimedia network within the users premises and including multiple consumer electronics devices coupled through the serial bus, the telecommunications device comprising: means for receiving a call request for a connection between the multimedia network and the telecommunications network; means for allocating bandwidth to the requested connection, including means for sending a bandwidth release request to at least one consumer electronic device in the multimedia network; means for establishing the requested connection; and means for sending digital signals back and forth between the multimedia network and the telecommunications network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A telecommunications device within a user's premises, connected via a telephone line to a telecommunications network and connected via a serial bus to a multimedia network within the users premises and including multiple consumer electronics devices coupled through the serial bus, the telecommunications device comprising: means for receiving a call request for a connection between the multimedia network and the telecommunications network; means for allocating bandwidth to the requested connection, including means for sending a bandwidth release request to at least one consumer electronic device in the multimedia network; means for establishing the requested connection; and means for sending digital signals back and forth between the multimedia network and the telecommunications network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telecommunications device of claim 1 , wherein the means for receiving a call request comprises means for receiving a data call request.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telecommunications device of claim 2 , wherein the means for receiving a call request comprises means for receiving a voice call request.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The telecommunications device of claim 3 , wherein the means for establishing comprises: means for broadcasting an incoming call indication to at least one of the consumer electronics devices in the multimedia network in response to receiving a voice call request from the telecommunications network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The telecommunications device of claim 1 , wherein the high-speed serial bus supports data rates of greater than 10 Mbps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The telecommunications device of claim 1 , wherein the high-speed serial bus is an IEEE 1394 bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The telecommunications device of claim 1 , wherein the bandwidth allocation means comprises means for allocating a minimum amount of bandwidth to each established connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The telecommunications device of claim 1 , wherein the bandwidth allocation means comprises: means for initiating an answer machine function if the amount of bandwidth needed for the connection is unavailable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The telecommunications device of claim 1 , wherein the bandwidth allocation means comprises: means for sending a connection unavailable message if the amount of bandwidth needed for the connection is unavailable.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for connecting, through a telephone line, a telephone network and a multimedia network having multiple consumer electronics devices coupled through a high-speed serial bus, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a call request for a connection; determining whether sufficient bandwidth is available to establish and maintain the requested connection; sending a bandwidth release request to active consumer electronics devices in the multimedia network if sufficient bandwidth is not available to establish and maintain the requested connection; and establishing the requested connection between the multimedia network and the telecommunications network.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for connecting, through a telephone line, a telephone network and a multimedia network having multiple consumer electronics devices coupled through a high-speed serial bus, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a call request for a connection; determining whether sufficient bandwidth is available to establish and maintain the requested connection; sending a bandwidth release request to active consumer electronics devices in the multimedia network if sufficient bandwidth is not available to establish and maintain the requested connection; and establishing the requested connection between the multimedia network and the telecommunications network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 , comprising: initiating a telephone answer function if the active consumer electronics devices do not release a sufficient amount of bandwidth to establish and maintain the requested connection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10 comprising: sending a connection unavailable message if the active consumer electronics devices do not release a sufficient amount of bandwidth to establish and maintain the requested connection.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus within a users premises, connected via a telephone line to a telecommunications network and connected via a serial bus to a multimedia network within the user's premises and including multiple consumer electronics devices coupled through said serial bus, the apparatus comprising: a high-speed serial interface; a telephone network interface connected to the telecommunications network through the telephone line; and a controller for establishing multiple simultaneous connections between the consumer electronics devices and the telecommunications network and capable of sending a bandwidth release request to at least one consumer electronic device in the multimedia network.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus within a users premises, connected via a telephone line to a telecommunications network and connected via a serial bus to a multimedia network within the user's premises and including multiple consumer electronics devices coupled through said serial bus, the apparatus comprising: a high-speed serial interface; a telephone network interface connected to the telecommunications network through the telephone line; and a controller for establishing multiple simultaneous connections between the consumer electronics devices and the telecommunications network and capable of sending a bandwidth release request to at least one consumer electronic device in the multimedia network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the high-speed serial interface supports data rates of greater than 10 Mbps.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the high-speed serial interface is an IEEE 1394 interface.
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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) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |