US6490273B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Asynchronous transfer mode architecture migration
Assignee: Sprint Communications Co LP
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Filing: 1998-08-05
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Granted: 2002-12-03
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Expires: 2018-08-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises a series of architectures that are implemented in four phases to provide a migration path from an initial ATM service offering to a full service ATM network. The initial ATM network includes several metropolitan ATM networks that are interconnected by a core ATM network. Each metropolitan ATM network includes a service node that controls ATM network elements to deliver services. In Phase I, a business hub that is connected to the metropolitan ATM network integrates voice, data, and Internet traffic over a single ATM connection that contains permanent Virtual Connections (PVCs) to various destinations, such as other business hubs, a gateway to local and long distance networks, the Internet, a frame relay network. In Phase II, the architecture is extended to smaller business markets. Businesses are provided with the PVC-based ATM service using xDSL/ATM connections that are multiplexed at a central office and then provided to the service node over the metropolitan ATM network. A remote dial-in feature is also added. In Phase III, a work-at-home hub is provided for telecommuting. The work-at-home hub uses an xDSL/ATM connection through the central office to the service node. Phase III also includes the deployment of a session manager and provider agents that interact to interpret user requests and establish the requisite communications paths using Switched Virtual Connections (SVCs). The business can replace existing some or all PVC-based service with more efficient SVC-based service. In Phase IV, the architecture is extended to the residential market. A residential hub is provided for residential communications over an xDSL/ATM connection through the central office to the service node. An analog hub is provided for conventional telephone service through the service node.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Anthony DeNap
- 👤 Harold Wayne Johnson
- 👤 Bryan Lee Gorman
- 👤 William Lee Edwards
- 👤 Michael Thomas Swink
- 👤 Timothy Gene Kelley
- 👤 James William Baumgart
- 👤 Martin Joseph Kaplan
- 👤 Abdullah Murat Bog
- 👤 John Arndt Strand, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5603; H04L2012/5609; H04L2012/561; H04L2012/5619; H04L2012/5623; H04L2012/5629; H04L2012/563; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/5663; H04L2012/5671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A communications network that comprises: a first metropolitan Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network; a first business hub that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network; a second business hub that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network; a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) gateway that is connected to the first ATM metropolitan network; a first ATM Permanent Virtual Connection (PVC) from the first business hub to the second business hub through the first metropolitan ATM network; a second ATM PVC from the first business hub to the PSTN gateway through the first metropolitan ATM network wherein the PSTN gateway is operational to interwork the second ATM PVC with a connection to a local telephone network; and a third ATM PVC from the first business hub to the PSTN gateway through the first metropolitan ATM network wherein the PSTN gateway is operational to interwork the third ATM PVC with a connection to a long distance telephone network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A communications network that comprises: a first metropolitan Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network; a first business hub that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network; a second business hub that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network; a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) gateway that is connected to the first ATM metropolitan network; a first ATM Permanent Virtual Connection (PVC) from the first business hub to the second business hub through the first metropolitan ATM network; a second ATM PVC from the first business hub to the PSTN gateway through the first metropolitan ATM network wherein the PSTN gateway is operational to interwork the second ATM PVC with a connection to a local telephone network; and a third ATM PVC from the first business hub to the PSTN gateway through the first metropolitan ATM network wherein the PSTN gateway is operational to interwork the third ATM PVC with a connection to a long distance telephone network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The communications network of claim 1 wherein the communications network includes the local telephone network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The communications network of claim 1 wherein the communications network includes the long distance telephone network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The communications network of claim 1 further comprising: a core ATM network that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network; and a fourth ATM PVC from the first business hub to a data network through the first metropolitan ATM network and the core ATM network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The communications network of claim 4 wherein the data network is an Internet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The communications network of claim 5 wherein the communications network further comprises an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the fourth ATM PVC is from the first business hub to the ISP and wherein the ISP is operational to interwork the fourth ATM PVC with the Internet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The communications network of claim 4 wherein the data network is a frame relay network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The communications network of claim 7 wherein the communications network further comprises the frame relay network and the fourth ATM PVC is from the first business hub to the frame relay network and wherein the frame relay network is operational to interwork the fourth ATM PVC with a frame relay connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The communications network of claim 4 wherein the communications network includes the data network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The communications network of claim 1 further comprising: a core ATM network that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network; a second metropolitan ATM network that is connected to the core ATM network; a third business hub that is connected to the second metropolitan ATM network; and a fourth ATM PVC from the first business hub to the third business hub through the first metropolitan ATM network, the core ATM network, and the second metropolitan ATM network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
The communications network of claim 10 wherein the communications network further comprises: the long distance telephone network; a second PSTN gateway that is connected to the second metropolitan ATM network; and a fifth ATM PVC from the third business hub to the second PSTN gateway through the second metropolitan ATM network, wherein the second PSTN gateway is operational to interwork the fifth ATM PVC with a connection to the long distance telephone network, and wherein the communications network is operational to connect a call through the first business hub, the third ATM PVC, the long distance network, the fifth ATM PVC, and the third business hub.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The communications network of claim 1 wherein the first business hub is operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has an ethernet interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has an fiber distributed data interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has a V.35 interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has an RS-422 interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has a high speed serial interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has a DS3 interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has an T1 interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has an Internet Protocol interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has a frame relay interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has an OC-3 to interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communications network of claim 12 wherein the first business hub has an OC-12 interface and an ATM interface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communications network of claim 1 wherein the communications network includes a service node that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network and that includes an ATM switch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The communications network of claim 1 wherein the communications network includes a service node that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network and that includes a router.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communications network of claim 1 wherein the communications network includes a service node that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network and that includes the PSTN gateway.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communications network of claim 1 wherein the communications network includes a service node that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network and that includes a web server.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communications network of claim 27 wherein the web server is operational to provide a customer with service subscription information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The communications network of claim 27 wherein the web server is operational to provide a customer with a graphical depiction of at least portions of the communications network that provide service to the customer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communications network of claim 27 wherein the web server is operational to provide a customer with communications network performance information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communications network of claim 27 wherein the web server is operational to provide a customer with communications network status information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
The communications network of claim 1 further comprising: an ATM access multiplexer that is connected to the first metropolitan ATM network; a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) multiplexer that is connected to the ATM access multiplexer; and a third business hub that is connected to the DSL multiplexer by a DSL/ATM connection.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communications network of claim 32 wherein the ATM access multiplexer and the DSL multiplexer are located in a central office.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
405 words
A method for deploying a communications network that comprises: (a) deploying a first network architecture that is comprised of a plurality of first business hubs that are each connected to a metropolitan ATM network that is connected to a core ATM network and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats and, wherein each first business hub has a first ATM Permanent Virtual Connection (PVC) that is connected through the metropolitan ATM network to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) gateway that interworks the first ATM PVC with a connection to a local telephone network, wherein each first business hub has a second ATM PVC that is connected through the metropolitan ATM network to the PSTN gateway that interworks the second ATM PVC with a connection to a long distance telephone network, wherein each first business hub has a third ATM PVC that is connected through the metropolitan ATM network and the core ATM network to a data network; (b) deploying a second network architecture by adding an ATM access multiplexer that is connected to the metropolitan ATM network, by adding a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) multiplexer that is connected to the ATM access multiplexer, and by adding a plurality of second business hubs that are each connected to the DSL multiplexer and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats; (c) deploying a third network architecture by adding a plurality of work-at-home hubs that are each connected to the DSL multiplexer and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats, by adding a session manager that is connected to the metropolitan ATM network, and by adding provider agents to the PSTN gateway and to the work-at-home hubs wherein the provider agents and the session manager are operational to establish Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) that interconnect the work-at-home hubs and the PSTN gateway; and (d) deploying a fourth network architecture by adding a plurality of residential hubs that are each connected to the DSL multiplexer and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats, and by adding a plurality of analog hubs that are each connected to the metropolitan ATM network and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and conventional telephony connections, and wherein the provider agents are added to each of the residential hubs and the analog hubs.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
405 words
A method for deploying a communications network that comprises: (a) deploying a first network architecture that is comprised of a plurality of first business hubs that are each connected to a metropolitan ATM network that is connected to a core ATM network and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats and, wherein each first business hub has a first ATM Permanent Virtual Connection (PVC) that is connected through the metropolitan ATM network to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) gateway that interworks the first ATM PVC with a connection to a local telephone network, wherein each first business hub has a second ATM PVC that is connected through the metropolitan ATM network to the PSTN gateway that interworks the second ATM PVC with a connection to a long distance telephone network, wherein each first business hub has a third ATM PVC that is connected through the metropolitan ATM network and the core ATM network to a data network; (b) deploying a second network architecture by adding an ATM access multiplexer that is connected to the metropolitan ATM network, by adding a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) multiplexer that is connected to the ATM access multiplexer, and by adding a plurality of second business hubs that are each connected to the DSL multiplexer and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats; (c) deploying a third network architecture by adding a plurality of work-at-home hubs that are each connected to the DSL multiplexer and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats, by adding a session manager that is connected to the metropolitan ATM network, and by adding provider agents to the PSTN gateway and to the work-at-home hubs wherein the provider agents and the session manager are operational to establish Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) that interconnect the work-at-home hubs and the PSTN gateway; and (d) deploying a fourth network architecture by adding a plurality of residential hubs that are each connected to the DSL multiplexer and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and a plurality of different formats, and by adding a plurality of analog hubs that are each connected to the metropolitan ATM network and that are each operational to interwork between ATM and conventional telephony connections, and wherein the provider agents are added to each of the residential hubs and the analog hubs.
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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) | 2005-12-02 | 2006-06-03 | 2006-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | 2010-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-02 | 2014-06-03 | 2014-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |