Full service network
DCFirst Claim
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1. A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
- one or more sources of video information;
one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers;
a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component;
a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means;
a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber;
a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, andone or more video bridging devices which provide duplicate copies of output signals from said one or more sources of video information to a plurality of distribution components.
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Abstract
A digital switching network is described which accommodates a full range of broadband and narrowband digital technologies, including video, wideband data, narrowband data, video-on-demand and telephone channels in an integrated manner. Optical fiber connects information sources to the switching component of the network utilizing a standardized transport stream such as SONET OC-N. A broadband ATM switch, a digital cross-connect switch or other distribution mechanisms may be utilized to interconnect information sources and subscribers. A level 1 gateway is utilized to control access to all information resources on the network.
282 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, and one or more video bridging devices which provide duplicate copies of output signals from said one or more sources of video information to a plurality of distribution components.
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2. A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which the source interface includes an ATM video switch. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which said subscriber interface comprises an optical network unit (ONU). - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more information servers; an ATM video switch; one or more optical network units; one or more distribution switches selectively connecting information received from said one or more information servers over said ATM video switch to said optical network units; one or more groups of one or more digital entertainment terminals serviced by respective ones of said optical network units; a level 1 gateway, with a port on said ATM switch; and a signalling network connecting digital entertainment terminals to the level 1 gateway via respective optical network units; whereby a digital entertainment terminal connects to the level 1 gateway to obtain services of the information servers. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A network for distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more sources of digitized video information; a distribution component providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting said one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface providing each subscriber a communication connection to said distribution means; means authorizing establishment of connection between a source of video information and a subscriber interface through said distribution component. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more information servers; an ATM video switch; one or more subscriber interface units; one or more distribution switches selectively connecting information received from said one or more information servers over said ATM video switch to said subscriber interface units; one or more groups of one or more digital entertainment terminals serviced by respective ones of said subscriber interface units; a level 1 gateway, with a port on said ATM switch; and a signalling network connecting digital entertainment terminals to the level 1 gateway via respective subscriber interface units; whereby a digital entertainment terminal connects to the level 1 gateway to obtain services of the information servers.
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21. A network for the distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more sources of video information; one or more distribution components providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface connecting subscribers to said distribution means; a first gateway authorizing establishment of a connection between a source of video information and a subscriber; and a signalling network selectively connecting a subscriber to said first gateway, in which the source interface includes an ATM video switch, and in which a PVC controller is connected via a level 1 gateway to a signalling network capable of transmitting signalling to the PVC controller. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A network for distribution of information, including video information, to subscribers comprising:
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one or more sources of digitized and compressed video information; a distribution component providing the information to a plurality of subscribers; a source interface for connecting said one or more sources of video information to said distribution component; a subscriber interface providing each subscriber a communication connection to said distribution means; means authorizing establishment of connection between a source of video information and a subscriber interface through said distribution component, in which the source interface includes a network of ATM switches. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification