Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy terminals in an optical network
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Accused Products
Abstract
A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.
76 Citations
40 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A return path of an optical network system comprising:
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a data service hub for generating downstream optical signals and for transmitting downstream control signals, and for receiving upstream control signals that are propagated through the optical network system according to one of a contention network protocol and a query-response protocol, the contention network protocol and query-response protocol supporting the control signals independently of time; and
at least one subscriber optical interface coupled to the data service hub for receiving the downstream optical signals, and for receiving RF-modulated signals comprising upstream control information that is propagated according to one of the contention network protocol and the query-response protocol, the subscriber optical interface comprising an A/D converter for converting the RF-modulated signals to digital signals, the subscriber optical interface modulating an optical carrier with the digital signals for generating upstream optical signals according to a timing dependent protocol that are sent to the data service hub. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for providing a return path for signals in an optical network system comprising the steps of:
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receiving one or more RF-modulated signals comprising upstream control information propagated through the optical network system according to one of a contention network protocol and a query-response protocol, the contention network protocol and query-response protocol supporting the control information independently of time;
converting the one or more RF-modulated signals to digital signals;
propagating the digital signals towards a data service hub on an optical carrier over the optical network system according to a timing dependent protocol; and
receiving the digital signals at the data service hub. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for returning RF signals to a data service hub comprising:
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receiving modulated analog RF signals comprising upstream control signals propagated according to one of the contention network protocol and the query-response protocol, the contention network protocol and query-response protocol supporting the control signals independently of time;
converting the analog RF signals into digital RF signals;
converting the digital RF signals into one or more packets; and
propagating the packets towards the data service hub with an optical carrier according to a timing dependent protocol. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification