Method and apparatus for transport of communication signals over a public network
First Claim
1. A method for transmitting signals between a source device and at least one of a plurality of destination devices, the source device being capable of encoding a signal into an encoded signal identifying at least one of a plurality of destination devices as an intended destination device, the encoded signal having a native rate of transmission, each of the plurality of destination devices being capable of receiving signals having particular characteristics, the method comprising:
- a. analyzing the encoded signal to determine the intended destination device for the encoded signal;
b. identifying an ultimate destination device designated by the intended destination device for receipt of signals from a source device;
c. identifying a switch device associated with the ultimate destination device;
d. determining a route of signal transmission from the source device to the switch device;
e. transmitting the encoded signal at the native rate from the source device to the switch device along the route of signal transmission;
f. determining the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device;
g. analyzing characteristics of the encoded signal and the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device to determine whether the characteristics of encoded signal are substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device;
h. upon determining that the characteristics of encoded signal are substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device in said analyzing step (g), transmitting the encoded signal from the switch device to the ultimate destination device; and
i. upon determining that the characteristics of encoded signal are not substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device in said analyzing step (g);
1. re-encoding the encoded signal at the switch device into a re-encoded signal having characteristics substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device; and
2. transmitting the re-encoded signal from the switch device to the ultimate destination device.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transmitting signals at different rates between an originating device and a destination device. The originating device generates a communication signal, including routing data, for transmitting the communication signal at a native rate associated with the originating device. The communication signal is received by a switch which analyzes the routing data of the signal to identify transmission rates recognizable by the destination device and, if necessary, a transmission path for routing the signal across a backbone network at the native rate. The system then determines whether to re-encode the signal for direct transmission at a different rate recognizable by the destination device, or to maintain the signal at the native rate for transmission either directly to the destination device or across the backbone network. The signal is then transmitted. A destination switch at the destination end analyzes the communication signal to determine the final destination point; if necessary, it re-encodes the communication signal for transmission at a rate which is recognizable by the final destination point, and then transmits the signal to the final destination.
36 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for transmitting signals between a source device and at least one of a plurality of destination devices, the source device being capable of encoding a signal into an encoded signal identifying at least one of a plurality of destination devices as an intended destination device, the encoded signal having a native rate of transmission, each of the plurality of destination devices being capable of receiving signals having particular characteristics, the method comprising:
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a. analyzing the encoded signal to determine the intended destination device for the encoded signal; b. identifying an ultimate destination device designated by the intended destination device for receipt of signals from a source device; c. identifying a switch device associated with the ultimate destination device; d. determining a route of signal transmission from the source device to the switch device; e. transmitting the encoded signal at the native rate from the source device to the switch device along the route of signal transmission; f. determining the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device; g. analyzing characteristics of the encoded signal and the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device to determine whether the characteristics of encoded signal are substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device; h. upon determining that the characteristics of encoded signal are substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device in said analyzing step (g), transmitting the encoded signal from the switch device to the ultimate destination device; and i. upon determining that the characteristics of encoded signal are not substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device in said analyzing step (g); 1. re-encoding the encoded signal at the switch device into a re-encoded signal having characteristics substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device; and 2. transmitting the re-encoded signal from the switch device to the ultimate destination device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for transmitting signals between a source device and at least one of a plurality of destination devices, the source device being capable of encoding a signal into an encoded signal identifying at least one of a plurality of destination devices as an intended destination device, the encoded signal having a native rate of transmission, each of the plurality of destination devices being capable of receiving signals having particular characteristics, the apparatus comprising:
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first analyzing means for analyzing the encoded signal to determine the intended destination device for the encoded signal; an ultimate destination device designated by the intended destination device for receipt of signals from a source device, said ultimate destination device being capable of recognizing signals having particular characteristics; first identifying means for identifying an ultimate destination device designated by the intended destination device for receipt of signals from a source device; switching means associated with the ultimate destination device for transmitting signals to the ultimate destination device; second identifying means for identifying the switching means associated with the ultimate destination device; route determining means for determining a route of signal transmission from the source device to the switching means; first transmitting means for transmitting the encoded signal at the native rate from the source device to the switching means along the route of signal transmission; signal characteristic determining means for determining the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device; second analyzing means for analyzing characteristics of the encoded signal and the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device; re-encoding means for re-encoding the encoded signal at the switching means into a re-encoded signal having characteristics substantially the same as the particular characteristics of signals that are capable of being recognized by the ultimate destination device; second transmitting means for transmitting one of the encoded signal or the re-encoded signal to the ultimate destination device; and decision means for deciding whether said second transmitting transmits the encoded signal or the re-encoded signal based upon predetermined criteria. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification