System and method for distributing voice and data information over wireless and wireline networks

• US 20050271080A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gorman, Michael George
• Granted Patent: US 7,525,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/463
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• 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: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A method and device for distributing both high-speed data service, such as digital computer, video and multimedia data, and lower speed data service, such as POTS voice telephone signals, throughout a customer premises. High-speed digital data and lower speed POTS voice signals are separated by a POTS splitter and distributed throughout the customer premises on separate distribution networks. The lower speed POTS is carried on a wireless distribution network and the high-speed data carried on the existing customer premises wiring ordinarily used for POTS.

Claims

1-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A system for providing access to a higher data transmission rate channel and a lower data transmission rate channel present on a communications trunk, the system comprising:

an integral transmission line integrated into a premises served by the communications trunk;

a digital wireless distribution system for communicating the lower data transmission rate channel at the premises, the digital wireless distribution system configured with a multiple channel format; and

a splitter associated with a termination of the communications trunk, the splitter configured to separate the higher data transmission rate channel for transmission over the integral transmission line and the lower data transmission rate channel for transmission over the digital wireless distribution system.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the multiple channel format comprises TDMA.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein the multiple channel format comprises CDMA.

30. The system of claim 27 wherein the multiple channel format comprises FDMA.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the integral transmission line comprises existing wireline ordinarily used for distributing POTS within the premises.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the existing wireline comprises coaxial cable.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein the wireless distribution system is configured to provide data to a modem over the lower data transmission rate channel via the digital wireless communication system.

34. The system of claim 27, further comprising an alarm system in communication with the lower data transmission rate channel.

35. The system of claim 27 further comprising a switch in communication with the digital wireless communication system and the integral transmission line, wherein the switch provides the lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line upon the detection of a power outage.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the switch is connected to an alternating current power supply of the premises to detect a loss of power at the premises and provides lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line.

37. The system of claim 27, wherein the digital wireless distribution system is configured to provide a plurality of data channels.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the plurality of data channels comprise 64 Kbs to 128 Kbs channels.

39. A system for providing access to a higher data transmission rate channel and a lower data transmission rate channel present on a communications trunk, the system comprising:

an integral transmission line integrated into a premises served by the communications trunk;

a digital wireless distribution system for communicating the lower data transmission rate channel at the premises, the digital wireless distribution system comprising a wireless controller wherein the wireless controller is configured to utilize alternating current wiring at the premises as a transmitting antenna; and

a splitter associated with a termination of the communications trunk, the splitter configured to separate the higher data transmission rate channel for transmission over the integral transmission line and the lower data transmission rate channel for transmission over the digital wireless distribution system.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the digital wireless distribution system is configured with a multiple channel format.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the integral transmission line comprises existing wireline ordinarily used for distributing POTS within the premises.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the existing wireline comprises coaxial cable.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the wireless distribution system is configured to provide data to a modem over the lower data transmission rate channel via the digital wireless communication system.

44. The system of claim 39, further comprising an alarm system in communication with the lower data transmission rate channel.

45. The system of claim 39 further comprising a switch in communication with the digital wireless communication system and the integral transmission line, wherein the switch provides the lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line upon the detection of a power outage.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the switch is connected to an alternating current power supply of the premises to detect a loss of power at the premises and provides lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line.

47. The system of claim 40, wherein the digital wireless distribution system is configured to provide a plurality of 64 Kbs to 128 Kbs data channels.

48. A system for providing access to a higher data transmission rate channel and a lower data transmission rate channel present on a communications trunk, the system comprising:

means for transporting a signal to a customer premises, the signal comprising the higher data transmission rate channel and the lower data transmission rate channel;

means for separating the signal into the higher data transmission rate channel and the lower data transmission rate channel;

wireless distribution means for communicating the lower data transmission rate channel within the customer premises; and

wireline distribution means for communicating the higher data transmission rate channel within the customer premises, wherein the lower data transmission signal is not carried by the wireline distribution means.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the wireless distribution means comprises a wireless controller wherein the wireless controller is configured to utilize alternating current wiring at the premises as a transmitting antenna.