Automated ethernet configuration of CATV network
First Claim
1. In a cable distribution network environment that includes a cable hub and a cable node, the cable node capable of transmitting RF data and Ethernet data over a return path to the cable hub, a method for the cable node to configure the cable hub to receive Ethernet data in addition to RF data from the cable node, wherein bandwidth for the Ethernet data may be made available by applying a compression algorithm to the RF data, the method comprising the following:
- an act of the cable node transmitting mode information to the cable hub, the mode information at least inferring that the cable node will be transmitting Ethernet data to the cable hub;
an act of the cable node compressing RF data using a compression algorithm; and
after the act of the cable node transmitting mode information to the cable hub, an act of the cable node transmitting Ethernet data and the compressed RF data to the cable hub.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable node and a cable hub that communicate on a CATV network are configured to switch compression modes without signal noise or degradation due to excessive delays in switching compression modes. In particular, a cable node sends one or more mute commands in an outgoing data stream to the cable hub, causing the cable hub to disable the RF outputs. Afterward, or along with the one or more mute commands, the cable node can send a switch mode command, thereby causing the cable hub to switch to the appropriate next communication mode, such as a communication mode using a new compression rate. When the cable node and the cable hub have switched to the appropriate next communication mode, the cable hub can then properly receive a corresponding data stream from the cable node using the next communication mode.
73 Citations
18 Claims
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1. In a cable distribution network environment that includes a cable hub and a cable node, the cable node capable of transmitting RF data and Ethernet data over a return path to the cable hub, a method for the cable node to configure the cable hub to receive Ethernet data in addition to RF data from the cable node, wherein bandwidth for the Ethernet data may be made available by applying a compression algorithm to the RF data, the method comprising the following:
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an act of the cable node transmitting mode information to the cable hub, the mode information at least inferring that the cable node will be transmitting Ethernet data to the cable hub;
an act of the cable node compressing RF data using a compression algorithm; and
after the act of the cable node transmitting mode information to the cable hub, an act of the cable node transmitting Ethernet data and the compressed RF data to the cable hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a cable distribution network environment that includes a cable hub and a cable node, the cable node capable of transmitting RF data and Ethernet data over a return path to the cable hub, a method for the cable hub to engage in Ethernet communication in response to information sent from the cable node, wherein bandwidth for the Ethernet data can be made available by applying a compression algorithm to the RF data, the method comprising the following:
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an act of the cable hub receiving mode information from the cable node, the mode information at least inferring that the cable node will be transmitting Ethernet data to the cable hub;
in response to receiving the mode information, an act of configuring the cable hub to receiving communications that include both RF data and Ethernet data from the cable node;
an act of receiving Ethernet data and compressed RF data from the cable node, wherein the RF data is compressed using the compression algorithm from the cable node; and
an act of decompressing the RF data using the decompression version of the compression algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a cable distribution network environment that includes a cable hub and a cable node communicating over an optical cable, an Ethernet-ready cable node having a processing module with computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the Ethernet-ready cable node to perform a method comprising the following:
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an act of transmitting mode information to the cable hub that at least infers that the cable node will be transmitting Ethernet data to the cable hub;
an act of compressing RF data using the compression algorithm; and
after the act of transmitting mode information, an act of transmitting Ethernet data and the compressed RF data to the cable hub. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. In a cable distribution network environment that includes a cable hub and a cable node communicating over an optical cable, an Ethernet-ready cable hub having a processing module with computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the Ethernet-ready cable hub to perform a method comprising the following:
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an act of the cable hub receiving mode information from the cable, node, the mode information at least inferring that the cable node will be transmitting Ethernet data to the cable hub;
in response to receiving the mode information, an act of configuring the cable hub to receiving communications that include both RF data and Ethernet data from the cable node;
an act of receiving Ethernet data and compressed RF data from the cable node, wherein the RF data is compressed using the compression algorithm from the cable node; and
an act of decompressing the RF data using the decompression version of the compression algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification