Method for routing data messages through a cable transmission system

• US 6,484,317 B1
• Filed: 08/11/1998
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadband Royalty Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wright, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Application Number:
  US09/137,448
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.7173, H04/N.7025, H04/N.710, 725/105, 725/114, 725/116, 725/117, 725/119, 725/121, 725/122, 725/126, 725/127, 725/131, 725/32, 725/34, 455/5.1, 455/4.2, 370/400, 370/389, 370/401, 370/408, 370/485, 370/486, 370/487
• US Class Current: 725/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/84 which are fixed telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/86 accessed over CATV networks

Abstract

A system and method for isolating data messages received from subscribers in a CATV system are disclosed. The system includes a spectrum parallel router which receives data messages in the return spectrum of a service line at a service site. A switch at the service site directs data messages to service lines coupled to the site which have destination addresses corresponding to one of the service lines. Data messages not having a destination address corresponding to one of the service lines are provided to a transmitter for transmission to the next higher level of the CATV network over a return cable. Each service site has its own return cable which may be coupled to a distribution hub or a headend. The return cables isolate the data messages of each service site from the data messages sent by the other service sites. At the distribution hub and headend, a switch is provided for each return cable and the switches are coupled to one another. At a distribution hub, data messages having a destination address corresponding to one of the other switches at the hub are routed to the corresponding switch. Messages so received by a switch at a distribution hub are coupled to a transmitter for transmission to the next lower network level coupled to the switch. Destination addresses in data messages not recognized by a switch at a distribution hub are coupled to a return cable for transmission to the next higher level in the network. At the highest level of the network, a headend is provided which includes a switch for each return cable coupled to the headend and each switch at the headend is coupled to the other switches for the routing of data messages as performed at the distribution hub. The system preferably includes frequency stackers and destackers so data messages from each service line may be placed on separate data channels to further enhance message isolation and reduce message traffic in the spectrum of a transmission or return cable.

Claims

1. A method for communicating data messages in a CATV system comprising the steps of:

receiving data messages from data message subscribers coupled to service lines extending from a service site in a CATV system;

routing said data messages received from a data message subscriber in said CATV system coupled to one of said service lines extending from said service site to another data message subscriber in said CATV system coupled to another one of said service lines extending from said service site; and

routing said data messages having a destination address not corresponding to one of said data message subscribers in said CATV system coupled to one of said service lines extending from said service site onto a spectrum of a return cable coupled to at least one of a headend and a distribution hub of said CATV system so that said data messages for said data message subscribers not coupled to one of said service lines extending from said service site in said CATV system are isolated from said data messages being sent to said data message subscribers coupled to one of said service lines extending from said service site in said CATV system.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

frequency stacking data messages having a destination address not corresponding to said service site onto a data channel in said spectrum of said return cable, each service line coupled to said service site having a corresponding data channel in said spectrum so that said data messages from one of said service lines are separated from said data messages from said other service lines on said return cable.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

frequency destacking data channels from a transmission signal to provide data messages from said data channels to a service site; and

routing said data messages on each data channel to its corresponding service line.