System and method for routing data messages through a cable transmission system
First Claim
1. A system for communicating data messages within a CATV network comprising:
- a headend for generating a transmission signal having broadcast and data signals;
a plurality of service sites, each service site being coupled to said headend by a transmission cable and a return cable, said transmission cable to each service site providing said transmission signal to said service site;
a plurality of service lines extending from each of said service sites to couple a plurality of subscribers to each said service site and to provide said transmission signal received from said headend at each said service site to said subscribers coupled to each said service site; and
a spectrum parallel router (SPR) in each of said service sites, said SPR being coupled to said service lines extending from said service site, each said SPR for receiving data messages from said subscribers in a return spectrum of said service lines coupled to said SPR, said SPR in each of said service sites routing data messages received from one subscriber to another subscriber coupled to said SPR through one of said services lines in response to a destination address in said received data messages identifying one of said subscribers in said plurality that is coupled to said SPR and said SPR in each of said service sites placing said received data messages on said return cable for transmission to said headend in response to said destination address in a received data message not corresponding to one of said subscribers coupled to said SPR so that said data messages from one service site are isolated from data messages from other service sites by said return cable.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for isolating data messages received from subscribers in a CATV system are disclosed. The system includes a spectrum parallel router which receives data messages in the return spectrum of a service line at a service site. A switch at the service site directs data messages to service lines coupled to the site which have destination addresses corresponding to one of the service lines. Data messages not having a destination address corresponding to one of the service lines are provided to a transmitter for transmission to the next higher level of the CATV network over a return cable. Each service site has its own return cable which may be coupled to a distribution hub or a headend. At the distribution hub and headend, a switch is provided for each return cable and the switches are coupled to one another. At a distribution hub, data messages having a destination address corresponding to one of the other switches at the hub are routed to the corresponding switch. Messages so received by a switch at a distribution hub are coupled to a transmitter for transmission to the next lower network level coupled to the switch. Destination addresses in data messages not recognized by a switch at a distribution hub are coupled to a return cable for transmission to the next higher level in the network.
129 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for communicating data messages within a CATV network comprising:
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a headend for generating a transmission signal having broadcast and data signals; a plurality of service sites, each service site being coupled to said headend by a transmission cable and a return cable, said transmission cable to each service site providing said transmission signal to said service site; a plurality of service lines extending from each of said service sites to couple a plurality of subscribers to each said service site and to provide said transmission signal received from said headend at each said service site to said subscribers coupled to each said service site; and a spectrum parallel router (SPR) in each of said service sites, said SPR being coupled to said service lines extending from said service site, each said SPR for receiving data messages from said subscribers in a return spectrum of said service lines coupled to said SPR, said SPR in each of said service sites routing data messages received from one subscriber to another subscriber coupled to said SPR through one of said services lines in response to a destination address in said received data messages identifying one of said subscribers in said plurality that is coupled to said SPR and said SPR in each of said service sites placing said received data messages on said return cable for transmission to said headend in response to said destination address in a received data message not corresponding to one of said subscribers coupled to said SPR so that said data messages from one service site are isolated from data messages from other service sites by said return cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A spectrum parallel router for a service site within a CATV network comprising:
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a receiver for receiving a transmission signal from a next higher level in a CATV network; a plurality of group transceivers, each group transceiver being coupled to a service line for coupling said transmission signal to a plurality of subscribers coupled to said service line and for receiving data messages from said subscribers coupled to said service line; a transmitter for transmitting data messages to a next higher level in said network; and a switch coupled to each of said group transceivers for receiving data messages from said subscribers coupled to said group transceivers, said switch routing said data messages from a first subscriber coupled to a group transceiver coupled to said switch to another subscriber coupled to a group transceiver coupled to said switch in response to said data message from said first subscriber having a destination address corresponding to said other subscriber coupled to said group transceiver and said switch routing to said transmitter said data messages from said group transceivers having destination addresses not corresponding to one of said subscribers in said plurality of subscribers coupled to said service lines coupled to said group transceivers in said plurality of group transceivers. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A spectrum parallel router for a distribution hub comprising:
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a receiver for coupling to a next lower network level; a first transmitter for coupling to a next higher network level; a second transmitter for coupling to said next lower network level; and a switch coupled to said receiver, said first transmitter and said second transmitter, said switch receiving data messages from said receiver and a switch at a same network level, said switch for routing data messages having destination addresses which correspond to an address in an address table of said switch to another switch at said same network level, said switch for providing said data messages to said first transmitter for transmission to said next higher network level in response to said destination address in said message not corresponding to one of said addresses in said address table of said switch and said switch for routing to said second transmitter data messages having destination addresses which correspond to a lower network level coupled to said switch. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification