Dynamically adjustable hybrid two-way data networks
First Claim
1. A computer communications system wherein a client terminal equipment communicates with a server equipment over plurality of different communications media, comprising:
- a. a client terminal modem for establishing communications with the server equipment over a plurality of communications media in a first direction, and also over a plurality of communications media in a second opposite direction; and
b. a server equipment modem for establishing communications with the client terminal equipment over a plurality of communications media in the first direction, and also over a plurality of communications media in the second opposite direction;
each possible pair of the plurality of communications media in the first and the second directions defining a different mode of communications operation, wherein responsive to a connectivity failure of a first communications media established for communication in the first direction according to a first mode, said client terminal modem dynamically activating a second mode of communications operation by establishing communications with said server equipment over a second communications media different from said first communications media in said first direction while maintaining communications on the communications media in the second direction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Dynamically adjustable hybrid two-way data networks are described which provide a high degree of connectivity. In one embodiment, a two-way CaTV system uses the CaTV plant most of the time, but also uses the public switched telephone network (PSTN) as a back-up whenever upstream or downstream connectivity between a cable modem and the CaTV head end (H/E) is severed. Management elements are provided for a fully operational two-way CaTV network which uses PSTN connections as an “on-the-fly” back-up mechanism for rare occasions when the CaTV plant looses its upstream and/or downstream connectivity. On the end-user side, a hybrid two-way CaTV/PSTN network provides added intelligence in either the cable-modem box, which may be enhanced with a regular voice-grade modem, or in the PC attached to the cable modem, to automatically handle both communications media. Similarly, on the H/E side, added capabilities are provided for processing and managing both CaTV and PSTN connections as well as managing the transitions from one medium to the other and vice versa.
20 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A computer communications system wherein a client terminal equipment communicates with a server equipment over plurality of different communications media, comprising:
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a. a client terminal modem for establishing communications with the server equipment over a plurality of communications media in a first direction, and also over a plurality of communications media in a second opposite direction; and
b. a server equipment modem for establishing communications with the client terminal equipment over a plurality of communications media in the first direction, and also over a plurality of communications media in the second opposite direction;
each possible pair of the plurality of communications media in the first and the second directions defining a different mode of communications operation, wherein responsive to a connectivity failure of a first communications media established for communication in the first direction according to a first mode, said client terminal modem dynamically activating a second mode of communications operation by establishing communications with said server equipment over a second communications media different from said first communications media in said first direction while maintaining communications on the communications media in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification