Spectrum monitoring for PSTN subscribers

• US 6,418,131 B1
• Filed: 05/22/1998
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inter-Tel Incorporated (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LAKE Communications Ltd. (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Snelling, Richard K., McIntosh, P. Stuckey, Taylor, John C. W., Tucker, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US09/083,464
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 370/259, 370/277, 370/310, 370/337, 370/338, 370/347, 370/352, 370/359, 370/360, 370/465, 370/466, 370/467, 370/535, 455/403, 455/422, 455/454, 455/515, 455/561
• US Class Current: 370/337
• 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: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/04 for time-division multiplexing H04Q11/0001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0435 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13076 Distributing frame, MDF, cross-connect switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13292 : Time division multiplexing, TDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 : WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 : adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation

Abstract

Systems for connecting PSTN 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 for 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. Such systems may monitor various bands of interest, process, store and change their operation according to information associated with signals or noise in such bands, and, if desired, report such information upstream to management nodes for various purposes.

Claims

1. Apparatus for allowing a subscriber to communicate via an external telecommunications network with other nodes on the external telecommunications network, comprising:

a. a base unit comprising;

first circuitry connected to the external telecommunications network and adapted to render at least one downstream signal from said external network compatible with circuitry in said base unit, and to render at least one upstream signal compatible with the external network;

transceiver circuitry adapted to modulate at least one downstream signal onto at least one RF signal and thereby transmit it over at least one RF link, and to receive at least one upstream signal over at least one RF link, demodulate said upstream signal, and couple said upstream signal to other circuits in the base unit; and

monitoring circuitry further comprising;

processing circuitry coupled to the receiver circuitry and adapted to control the receiver circuitry and process signals from said receiver circuitry; and

storage circuitry coupled to said processing circuitry and adapted to store information corresponding to signals in bands of interest received by said receiver;

b. at least one wireless unit comprising;

wireless unit transceiver circuitry adapted to receive at least one downstream RF signal from the base unit and demodulate said downstream RF signal, and to modulate at least one upstream signal from other circuitry in said wireless unit onto at least one RF signal in order to transmit the upstream signal to the base unit; and

interface circuitry coupled to said wireless unit transceiver circuitry adapted to render downstream signals suitable for imparting information usable to the subscriber, and upstream signals compatible with the wireless unit transceiver circuitry.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the apparatus includes only one wireless unit.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the apparatus includes more than one wireless unit.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the apparatus includes;

in the base unit, second circuitry coupled to said first circuitry and to said transceiver circuitry, the second circuitry adapted to multiplex at least two signals from the first circuitry into a downstream signal, and to demultiplex at least one upstream signal from the transceiver circuitry, and

in at least one wireless unit, demultiplexing circuitry adapted to demultiplex at least one downstream signal.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the base unit is adapted to send to another node in said telecommunications network at least some of said information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest received by said receiver.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said receiver is adapted to scan bands of interest in order to receive information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to identify at least one signal in said bands of interest.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to change its operation based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to alter frequencies on which it operates based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to alter timing of operation based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to collect and report upstream anomalies in operation of said wireless unit.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to collect and report upstream times of operation and non-operation of said wireless unit.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to collect and report upstream signal strength from said wireless unit.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said base unit is adapted to collect information relating to other base units in the vicinity of said base unit, and other wireless units being used in conjunction with said other base units.

15. Apparatus for allowing a subscriber to communicate via an external telecommunications network with other nodes on the external telecommunications network, comprising:

a. a base unit comprising;

first circuitry connected to the external telecommunications network and adapted to render at least one downstream signal from said external network compatible with circuitry in said base unit, and to render at least one upstream signal compatible with the external network;

second circuitry coupled to said first circuitry and to transceiver circuitry, the second circuitry adapted to multiplex at least two signals from the first circuitry into a downstream signal, and to demultiplex at least one upstream signal from the transceiver circuitry;

said transceiver circuitry adapted to modulate at least one downstream signal onto at least one RF signal and thereby transmit it over at least one RF link, and to receive at least one upstream signal over at least one RF link, demodulate said upstream signal, and couple said upstream signal to other circuits in the base unit; and

monitoring circuitry further comprising;

processing circuitry coupled to the receiver circuitry and adapted to control said receiver circuitry and process signals from said receiver circuitry; and

storage circuitry coupled to said processing circuitry and adapted to store information corresponding to signals in bands of interest received by said receiver;

b. at least one wireless unit comprising;

wireless unit transceiver circuitry adapted to receive at least one downstream RF signal from the base unit and demodulate said downstream RF signal, and to modulate at least one upstream signal from other circuitry in said wireless unit onto at least one RF signal in order to transmit the upstream signal to the base unit;

demultiplexing circuitry for demultiplexing downstream signals; and

interface circuitry coupled to said wireless unit transceiver circuitry adapted to render downstream signals suitable for imparting information usable to the subscriber, and upstream signals compatible with the wireless unit transceiver circuitry.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which the base unit is adapted to send to another node in said telecommunications network at least some of said information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest received by said receiver.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said receiver is adapted to scan said bands of interest in order to receive information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to identify at least one signal in said bands of interest.

19. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to change its operation based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

20. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to alter frequencies on which it operates based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

21. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to alter timing of operation based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

22. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to collect and report upstream anomalies in operation of said wireless unit.

23. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to collect and report upstream times of operation and non-operation of said wireless unit.

24. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to collect and report upstream signal strength from said wireless unit.

25. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said base unit is adapted to collect information relating to other base units in the vicinity of said base unit, and other wireless units being used in conjunction with said other base units.

26. A system for communicating over a telecommunications network, comprising:

a. a plurality of base units, each comprising;

first circuitry connected to the telecommunications network and adapted to render at least one downstream signal from said network compatible with circuitry in said base units, and to render at least one upstream signal compatible with said network;

transceiver circuitry adapted to modulate at least one downstream signal onto at least one RF signal and thereby transmit it over at least one RF link, and to receive at least one upstream signal over at least one RF link, demodulate said upstream signal, and couple said upstream signal to other circuits in the base units; and

monitoring circuitry further comprising;

processing circuitry coupled to the receiver circuitry and adapted to control said receiver and process signals from said receiver circuitry;

storage circuitry coupled to said processing circuitry and adapted to store information corresponding to signals in bands of interest received by said receiver;

b. a plurality of wireless units, each associated with one of said base units, each of said wireless units comprising;

wireless unit transceiver circuitry adapted to receive at least one downstream RF signal from said base units and demodulate said downstream RF signal, and to modulate at least one upstream signal from other circuitry in said wireless units onto at least one RF signal in order to transmit the upstream signal to said base units;

interface circuitry coupled to said wireless units transceiver circuitry adapted to render downstream signals suitable for imparting information usable to subscriber, and upstream signals compatible with the wireless unit transceiver circuitry; and

c. at least one system management node adapted to receive signals over said telecommunications network from at least some of said base units and to collect information from said base units corresponding to bands of interest monitored by said base units.

27. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of the base units are associated with only one wireless unit.

28. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of the base units are associated with more than one wireless unit.

29. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units include second circuitry coupled to said first circuitry and to said transceiver circuitry, the second circuitry adapted to multiplex at least two signals from the first circuitry into a downstream signal, and to demultiplex at least one upstream signal from the transceiver circuitry, and the wireless units associated with said base units include demultiplexing circuitry for demultiplexing at least one downstream signal.

30. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to send to the system management node at least some of said information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest received by the receiver in said system management node.

31. The system according to claim 26 in which the receiver in at least some of said wireless units are adapted to scan said bands of interest in order to receive information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

32. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to identify at least one signal in said bands of interest.

33. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to change their operation based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

34. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to alter frequencies on which they operate based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

35. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to alter timing of operation based on information corresponding to signals in said bands of interest.

36. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to collect and report to said system management node anomalies in operation of at least some wireless units.

37. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to collect and report to said system management node times of operation and non-operation of at least some wireless units.

38. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to collect and report upstream signal strength from at least some wireless units.

39. The system according to claim 26 in which at least some of said base units are adapted to collect information relating to other base units in the vicinity of said base units, and other wireless units being used in conjunction with said other base units.