Communications webs for PSTN subscribers

• US 6,058,104 A
• Filed: 04/16/1997
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inter-Tel (Delaware) Incorporated (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Home Wireless Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Snelling, Richard K., McIntosh, P. Stuckey, Taylor, John C. W., Tucker, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/843,700
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 370/277, 370/259, 370/341, 370/359, 370/360, 370/535, 370/352, 370/280, 370/310, 370/337, 370/347, 455/127, 455/403, 455/422, 455/454, 455/515, 455/562
• US Class Current: 370/277
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/715 using two or more extensions per line cordless telephones H04M1/725
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72505 Radio link set-up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

Systems for connecting telecommunications infrastructure lines to telephones, handsets, computers, telecopy machines and other end user interfaces or consumer electronics devices in a residence or business. Systems according to the present invention include Network Control Units which form the center of a star topology and which communicate via RF link with Wireless Access Units and handsets. Wireless Access Units feature an interface, such as, for example, a standard telephone jack, for accommodating a telephone, a fax machine, a compute modem or other device. Computers or other devices may also be accommodated by Wireless Access Units having other physical and virtual interfaces, including, for instance, serial ports or network interfaces. The Wireless Access Units may also be digital to accommodate ISDN or any other digital standard. Wireless control/monitoring accessories may also be employed to communicate with the Network Control Unit and provide additional functionality such as entrance monitoring, baby monitoring, HVAC control and other services.

Claims

1. A communications web for use by a public switched telecommunications (PSTN) subscriber, said web comprising:

a. at least one Web Control Unit comprising;

i. at least one web interface, said interface adapted to be connected to the PSTN, said interface adapted to render the signals from the PSTN compatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to render the upstream signals compatible with the PSTN;

ii. at least one switch adapted to couple signals from each of said at least one web interfaces to at least one output, in accordance with control signals provided by a programmable controller;

iii. said programmable controller adapted to control said switch according to the number and types of PSTN connections coupled to said at least one web interface;

the number, types and locations of subscriber'"'"'s equipment serviced by the communications web; and

the desires of the subscriber;

iv. Web Control Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry coupled to said switch and adapted to multiplex downstream signals from said switch outputs into form compatible for delivery to Web Control Unit transceiver circuitry, and to demultiplex upstream signals from said Web Control Unit transceiver circuitry for delivery to said switch;

V. said Web Control Unit transceiver circuitry adapted to modulate said downstream signals from said Web Control Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transmit said downstream signals via RF link, and to demodulate upstream signals received via RF link for delivery to said Web Control Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry;

b. at least one Wireless Access Unit comprising;

i. Wireless Access Unit transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals for delivery to Wireless Access Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals from said Wireless Access Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to provide said upstream signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;

ii. Wireless Access Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals from said Wireless Access Unit transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals from Wireless Access Unit interface circuitry for delivery to said Wireless Access Unit transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and

iii. said Wireless Access Unit interface circuitry adapted to render downstream signals from said Wireless Access Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry compatible for use by subscriber'"'"'s equipment for delivery to at least one interface to said subscriber'"'"'s equipment, and to render upstream signals from said at least one subscriber'"'"'s equipment interface compatible for use by and delivery to said Wireless Access Unit multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.

2. The web according to claim 1 further comprising:

a. in said Web Control Unit, at least one web digital interface adapted to be connected to the PSTN, said web digital interface adapted to render downstream signals from the PSTN compatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to render upstream signals from said switch compatible with the PSTN; and

b. at least one digital Wireless Access Unit, comprising;

i. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals for delivery to multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to provide said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;

ii. multiplex/demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals from said transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals from interface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and

iii. interface circuitry adapted to render downstream signals from said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry compatible for use by said subscriber'"'"'s equipment for delivery to at least one interface to said subscriber'"'"'s equipment, and to render upstream signals from said at least one subscriber'"'"'s equipment interface compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.

3. The web according to claim 1 further comprising at least one handset, said handset comprising:

a. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals for delivery to multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to provide said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;

b. multiplex/demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals from said transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals from interface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and

c. interface circuitry adapted to convert downstream signals from said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry to analog and render said downstream signals compatible for use by at least a loudspeaker in said handset, and to convert upstream signals from a microphone in said handset to digital and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.

4. The web according to claim 1 in which said Web Control Unit is adapted to be programmed from an external source comprising a service bureau.

5. The web according to claim 1 in which said Web Control Unit is adapted to be programmed from an external source comprising a personal computer.

6. The web according to claim 1 in which said Web Control Unit and said Wireless Access Units are adapted to control power level of power radiated by said transceiver circuitry in order to reduce interference among adjacent webs.

7. The web according to claim 3 in which said Web Control Unit, said handsets and said Wireless Access Units are adapted to control power level of power radiated by said transceiver circuitry in order to reduce interference among adjacent webs.

8. The web according to claim 1 in which Web Control Units of different subscribers are adapted to coordinate with one another to control frequency use and power levels in order to avoid mutual interference.

9. The web according to claim 1 in which the Web Control Unit is adapted to connect to a plurality of PSTN analog lines and comprises a plurality of analog interfaces, each interface comprising its own analog/digital conversion circuitry.

10. The web according to claim 1 in which the Web Control Unit is adapted to connect to a plurality of PSTN analog lines and comprises a plurality of analog interfaces, all interfaces sharing a common analog/digital conversion circuitry.

11. A communications web for use by a switched telecommunications infrastructure subscriber, said web comprising:

a. at least one Web Control Unit comprising;

i. a plurality of web analog interfaces, each adapted to be connected to the telecommunications infrastructure, at least some of said interfaces adapted to convert analog signals to digital in a downstream direction and render the signals compatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to convert digital signals to analog in an upstream direction for delivery to the telecommunications infrastructure and to render the upstream signals compatible with the telecommunications infrastructure;

ii. switching circuitry adapted to couple signals from each of said at least one web analog interfaces to at least one output, in accordance with control signals provided by a programmable controller;

iii. said programmable controller adapted to control said switching circuitry according to the number and types of telecommunications infrastructure connections coupled to said at least one web analog interfaces;

the number, types and locations of subscriber'"'"'s equipment serviced by the communications web; and

the desires of the subscriber;

iv. circuitry adapted to modulate and multiplex downstream signals from said switching circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transmit said signals via RF link, and to demodulate and demultiplex upstream signals received via RF link for delivery to said switching circuitry;

b. at least one analog Wireless Access Unit comprising;

i. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to Wireless Access Unit interface circuitry, and to multiplex and modulate upstream signals delivered from said Wireless Access Unit interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to provide said upstream signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;

ii. said Wireless Access Unit interface circuitry adapted to convert downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry to analog and render said downstream signals compatible for use by subscriber'"'"'s equipment for delivery to at least one interface to said subscriber'"'"'s equipment, and to convert upstream signals from said at least one subscriber'"'"'s equipment interface to digital and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry;

c. a telephone connected to at least one Wireless Access Unit; and

d. at least one handset comprising;

i. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to handset interface circuitry, and to multiplex and modulate upstream signals from said handset interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;

ii. said handset interface circuitry adapted to convert downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry to analog and render said downstream signals compatible for use by at least a loudspeaker in said handset, and to convert upstream signals from a microphone in said handset to digital and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry.

12. The communications web according to claim 11 further comprising at least one digital Wireless Access Unit, comprising:

i. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to interface circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals from said interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to provide said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit; and

ii. interface circuitry adapted to render downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry compatible for use by subscriber'"'"'s equipment for delivery to at least one interface to said subscriber'"'"'s equipment, and to render upstream signals from said at least one interface compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry.

13. The communications web according to claim 11 in which said modulation circuitry in said Web Control Unit is adapted to monitor emissions from other communications webs and vary its output power level and operating frequency accordingly.

14. The communications web according to claim 13 further comprising routing circuitry in said Web Control Unit adapted to connect communications among at least two of the group comprising said Wireless Access Units of said web, handsets and incoming lines connected to said Web Control Unit.

15. The communications web according to claim 11 further comprising an accessory module comprising:

a. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to interface circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals from said interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to provide said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit; and

b. interface circuitry adapted to render downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry compatible for use by said subscriber'"'"'s equipment for delivery to at least one interface to said subscriber'"'"'s equipment, and to render upstream signals from said at least one interface compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry;

c. said subscriber'"'"'s equipment adapted to detect at least one condition in subscriber'"'"'s residence and generate electronic signals corresponding to said at least one condition.

16. A process for connecting a plurality of lines of the public switched telecommunications network (PSTN) to subscriber equipment comprising:

a. converting analog signals on a plurality of said PSTN lines to digital signals;

b. providing said digital signals to a switch adapted to couple signals from said PSTN lines to at least one output;

c. programming said switch to couple each of said PSTN line signals to a desired output in the switch, said programming conducted according to;

(1) the number of and nature of each of said PSTN lines;

(2) the types of said subscriber equipment; and

(3) the subscriber'"'"'s preferences;

d. multiplexing said output signals from said switch to create a multiplexed signal;

e. modulating said multiplexed signal onto at least one radiofrequency signal for transmission of said multiplexed signal via radiofrequency link; and

f. in at least one of a plurality of remote units,

i. receiving said radiofrequency signal;

ii. demodulating and demultiplexing said signal;

iii. identifying portions of said demodulated signal intended for said at least one remote unit, said portions corresponding to signals on a PSTN line programmed in said switch to be connected to subscriber equipment connected to said at least one remote unit;

iii. selecting said portions which have been identified and converting said identified portions to analog; and

iv. providing said analog signal to subscriber equipment connected to said at least one remote unit.

17. The process according to claim 16 further comprising:

a. in each of said remote units;

i. digitizing signals received from said subscriber equipment;

ii. multiplexing and modulating said signals for transmission via radiofrequency link;

b. receiving said transmitted signals from said plurality of remote units in multiplexed format;

c. demodulating and demultiplexing said signals for input to said switch;

d. coupling, in said switch, each of said demultiplexed signals to a PSTN line programmed in said switch to correspond to subscriber equipment from which information on each of said demultiplexed signals originated.

18. The process according to claim 16 in which programming the switch is conducted via the PSTN.

19. The process according to claim 16 in which programming the switch is performed on a computer.

20. The process according to claim 16 in which modulating said multiplexed signal onto at least one radiofrequency signal for transmission of said multiplexed signal via radiofrequency link further comprises:

a. sensing emissions from other communications webs; and

b. varying the power level and frequency of said transmission according to said emissions.

21. The process according to claim 16 further comprising conducting signaling for transmission on the PSTN.