Intra-premises wireless broadband service using lumped and distributed wireless radiation from cable source input

• US 10,080,040 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2016
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Murray, John F, Rice, Christopher W., Worstell, Harry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Danh
• Application Number:
  US14/989,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20160119653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 455 301, 455 305, 4555501, 455403, 725135
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15 Active relay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42676 for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters

Abstract

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, includes a broadband signal access point, which may be located internally or externally to the premises, in combination with the existing cabling is used with radiation device(s) to provide distribution of services, including broadband services, within the premises. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations comprising;

receiving digital signals via a connection port in communication with equipment of a service provider;

converting a format of the digital signals to produce formatted digital signals;

outputting the formatted digital signals to a diplexer device, wherein the diplexer device is coupled to a signal distribution system for delivering broadband signals within a premises, wherein the broadband signals comprise radio frequency (RF) signals in a first range of frequencies, and wherein the diplexer device isolates the broadband signals from broadcast signals in a second range of frequencies;

receiving the broadcast signals at a first frequency; and

generating modulated signals at a second frequency,

wherein the diplexer device receives the broadcast signals and the modulated signals, wherein the diplexer device generates combined signals based on the broadcast signals at the first frequency and the modulated signals at the second frequency, and wherein the combined signals are provided to the signal distribution system.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the formatted digital signals comprise data packets, and wherein the operations further comprise supplying headers to the data packets.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the digital signals are received in an Ethernet format.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a modem coupled to the connection port converts input analog radio frequency signals to the digital signals, the digital signals having different address headers than Ethernet signals configured for wired distribution within the premises.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise receiving a plurality of services via the connection port from the service provider, the plurality of services including streaming video, video on demand, and voice telephony services.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection port is configured for bi-directional communication with the equipment of the service provider.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal distribution system comprises a plurality of distributed wireless radiation devices.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the distributed wireless communication devices comprise an antenna and a leaky cable.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is located external to the premises.

10. A method comprising:

receiving, by a device comprising a processor, digital signals at a connection port from equipment of a service provider;

converting, by the device, a format of the digital signals to produce formatted data packets;

outputting, by the device, the formatted digital signals to a diplexer device, wherein the diplexer device is coupled to a signal distribution system for delivering broadband signals within a premises, wherein the broadband signals comprise radio frequency (RF) signals in a first range of frequencies, and wherein the diplexer device isolates the broadband signals from broadcast signals in a second range of frequencies;

receiving the broadcast signals at a first frequency; and

generating modulated signals at a second frequency,

wherein the diplexer device receives the broadcast signals and the modulated signals, wherein the diplexer device generates combined signals based on the broadcast signals at the first frequency and the modulated signals at the second frequency, and wherein the combined signals are provided to the signal distribution system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the connection port is configured for bi-directional communication with the equipment of the service provider.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising supplying headers for the data packets.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the digital signals received at the connection port comprise a plurality of services including streaming video, video on demand, and voice telephony services.