End of line monitoring of point-to-multipoint network

• US 20040103442A1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Eng, John W.
• Application Number:
  US10/307,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20040103442A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/126
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/00 Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44209 Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6371 directed to network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/647 Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load, bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless real-time session protocols H04L65/1101
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A service channel is used in a bi-directional communications network such as a DOCSIS cable modem system, fixed broadband wireless system, or other network to transmit in the upstream direction. The service channel communications do not require a properly functioning downstream communications link to operate. Remote devices may thusly be able to indicate to a central server various status related data that may assist in identifying problems with the network or aid in proper installation of devices on the network.

Claims

1. A method for upstream communications in a bi-directional communications network wherein the primary form of upstream communication requires properly functioning downstream communication wherein the network is characterized by a central station and a plurality of remote transceivers comprising:

providing at least one service channel outside of the bandwidth allocated for said upstream communication;

detecting at least one problem with said downstream communication by one of said remote transceivers;

creating a status transmission comprising an identifier for said one of said remote transceivers;

sending said transmission on said at least one of said service channels from said one of said remote transceiver to said central station using said service channel;

repeating said step of sending said transmission after waiting a predetermined period of time;

receiving said transmission by said central station; and

identifying said one of said remote transceivers at said central station.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined period of time is varied based on at least in part on a random pattern.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said network is a cable television network.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of said plurality of remote transceivers is a cable modem.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said network is a wireless network.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said wireless network is a network defined at least in part by the IEEE 802.16 standard.

7. A bi-directional communications network wherein the primary form of upstream communication requires properly functioning downstream communication comprising:

at least one service channel outside of the bandwidth allocated for said upstream communication;

a central station capable of sending downstream transmissions and receiving upstream transmissions, said upstream transmissions being transmitted within a predetermined upstream bandwidth; and

a plurality of remote transceivers capable of receiving said downstream transmissions and sending said upstream transmissions, at least one of said remote transceivers capable creating a status transmission comprising an identifier for said remote transceivers, sending said transmission on said at least one service channel outside of said predetermined upstream bandwidth from said one of said remote transceiver to said central station using said service channel.

8. The network of claim 7 wherein said network is a cable television network.

9. The network of claim 8 wherein at least one of said plurality of remote transceivers is a cable modem.

10. The network of claim 7 wherein said network is a wireless network.

11. The network of claim 10 wherein said wireless network is a network defined at least in part by the IEEE 802.16 standard.