Method and apparatus for data channelization and hardware-based network operation and control

• US 6,240,097 B1
• Filed: 06/12/1997
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coherence Technology Company Incorporated (Core Laboratories NV)
• Original Assignee: Coherence Technology Company Incorporated (Core Laboratories NV)
• Inventors: Wesolek, Robert C., Fotorny, Kevin F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOAKYE, ALEXANDER O
• Application Number:
  US08/874,013
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 370/252, 370/462, 370/480, 370/482, 370/484, 370/485, 370/486, 370/487, 370/490, 370/496, 370/465, 370/431
• US Class Current: 370/431
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The invention discloses the process of modulating data streams to create discrete channels of information in network environments. After data channelization, networks, workgroups, workstations or other end-user devices are provided or denied access to specific data streams or channels. Devices normally involved in network interfaces or network distribution backbones are configured to provide only channels of data that have been authorized. The network status controller retains and stores status changes related to network access in general, and specifically to discrete channel access.

Claims

1. A computer network, comprising:

at least one digital input source for generating at least one input data stream;

a modulating channelizer, coupled to the digital input source, for receiving and channelizing said at least one input data stream;

a network status controller, coupled to said modulating channelizer, for providing a status control signal to said modulating channelizer;

wherein said modulating channelizer combines said channelized input data stream and said control signal to generate a composite signal stream having at least one data channel with an associated status control signal;

and wherein said network further comprises;

a network traffic controller, coupled to said modulating channelizer and receiving said composite signal stream;

at least one end user device, coupled to said network traffic controller, for receiving said composite signal stream;

at least one end user appliance, coupled to one of said at least one end user devices;

wherein said end user device is responsive to said status control signal to selectively grant or deny said at least one end user appliance access to a data channel in said composite signal stream

and wherein said at least one end user device further functions to receive upstream data from said at least one end user appliance, and to modulate said upstream data and transmit said modulated upstream data to said network traffic controller.

2. A network in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a network upstream manager, coupled to said network traffic controller, for receiving said upstream data and routing said upstream data to one of said at least one digital input source.

3. A network in accordance with claim 2, wherein said at least one end user device re-transmits said status control signal to said network status controller, via said network traffic controller and said network upstream manager, such that said network status controller can verify receipt of accurate status control information by said end user device.

4. A network in accordance with claim 3, wherein said upstream data includes end user device status information, and wherein said status information is transmitted via said network traffic controller and said network upstream manager to said network status controller, such that said network status controller can compare said end user device'"'"'s status information to said status control signal.

5. A network in accordance with claim 1, wherein the digital input stream comprises a computer.

6. A network in accordance with claim 1, wherein the digital input stream comprises an Internet service provider.

7. A network in accordance with claim 1, wherein the end user device further functions to demodulate said composite signal stream.

8. A network in accordance with claim 1, wherein said modulating channelizer provides operating power to said network traffic controller.

9. A network in accordance with claim 8, wherein said network traffic controller is responsive to said status control signal in said composite signal stream to selectively provide operating power originating at said modulating channelizer to said at least one end user device.

10. A network in accordance with claim 1, wherein said end user appliance comprises a computer network.

11. A computer network, comprising:

at least one digital input source for generating at least one input data stream;

a modulating channelizer, coupled to the digital input source, for receiving and channelizing said at least one input data stream;

a network status controller, coupled to said modulating channelizer, for providing a status control signal to said modulating channelizer;

wherein said modulating channelizer combines said channelized input data stream and said control signal to generate a composite signal stream having at least one data channel with an associated status control signal;

and wherein said network further comprises;

a network traffic controller, coupled to said modulating channelizer and receiving said composite signal stream;

at least one end user device, coupled to said network traffic controller, for receiving said composite signal stream;

at least one end user appliance, coupled to one of said at least one end user devices;

wherein said end user device is responsive to said status control signal to selectively grant or deny said at least one end user appliance access to a data channel in said composite signal stream;

wherein said modulating channelizer channelizes said at least one input data stream by frequency modulating said input data stream to a first frequency.

12. A network in accordance with claim 11, wherein modulating channelizer is responsive to said status control signal from said network status controller to select said first frequency.

13. A network in accordance with claim 11, wherein said first frequency is in the range from 54 to 74 MHz.

14. A network in accordance with claim 11, wherein said at least one end user device modulates said upstream data to a second frequency prior transmitting said upstream data to said network traffic controller.

15. A network in accordance with claim 14, wherein said second frequency is in the range from 5 to 40 MHz.

16. A network in accordance with claim 15, wherein said network status control signal is frequency modulated to a third frequency.

17. A network in accordance with claim 16, wherein said third frequency is in a range between 40 and 54 MHz.

18. A network in accordance with claim 14, wherein said end user device is responsive to said status control signal to select said second frequency.

19. A network in accordance with claim 11, wherein end user device is responsive to said status control signal to demodulate said composite signal stream at said first frequency.