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Apparatus and method for providing PC communication and internet service by using settop box

  • US 6,285,685 B1
  • Filed: 05/27/1998
  • Issued: 09/04/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A communications system comprising:

  • a back bone internet, a PC for providing communication and internet service, a network for D-CATV (Digital Cable Television) and VOD (Video-On-Demand) services;

    an internet gateway disposed at a head end of said D-CATV network to provide an internet service channel between said backbone internet and said D-CATV subscriber, and a settop box connected to said network, said settop box comprising;

    a PC interface for enabling communication with said PC, and a controller operative to analyze a previously designated VC (Virtual Channel) cell for a Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) or Point to Point Protocol (PPP) within data received from said network and to transmit said VC cell together with a SLIP or PPP header, as applicable, to said PC, said controller being further operative to separate a SLIP or PPP header from the data received from said PC and to transmit to said network said designated VC cell together with an IP (Internet Protocol)-over-ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) header.

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