Method and system for providing fiber optic cable to end users

• US 6,584,252 B1
• Filed: 12/14/2000
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: House, Richard L., Schier, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US09/737,309
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 385/147, 385/24, 385/100, 405/154, 174/37, 174/38, 174/47
• US Class Current: 385/100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/50 Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing fiber optic cable to an end user includes disposing the fiber optic cable having first and second ends within a sewer line coupled to a premises of the end user, and coupling the first end of the fiber optic cable to a network interface device inside the premises. The method may further include disposing an optical splitter within a main sewer line coupled to the sewer line and coupling the second end of the fiber optic cable to the optical splitter.

Claims

1. A method for providing a fiber optic cable to an end user, the method comprising:

disposing the fiber optic cable having first and second ends within a sewer line coupled to a premises of the end user;

disposing the first end of the fiber optic cable between a flange and a seal disposed beneath a toilet located inside the premises; and

coupling the first end of the fiber optic cable to a network interface device inside the premises of the end user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

disposing an optical splitter within a main sewer line coupled to the sewer line; and

coupling the second end of the fiber optic cable to the optical splitter, the optical splitter operable to couple the end user to a central office via a network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein disposing an optical splitter within a main sewer line comprises disposing the optical splitter within the main sewer line wherein the optical splitter is operable to couple a plurality of end users to a central office via a network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a sheathing for the fiber optic cable that is compatible with an environment of an active sewer line.

5. A method for providing a fiber optic cable to an end user, the method comprising:

disposing the fiber optic cable having first and second ends within a sewer line coupled to a premises of the end user;

feeding the first end of the fiber optic cable between a flange and a seal disposed beneath a toilet located inside the premises; and

coupling the first end of the fiber optic cable to a network interface device inside the premises of the end user.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

disposing an optical splitter within a main sewer line coupled to the sewer line; and

coupling the second end of the fiber optic cable to the optical splitter, the optical splitter operable to couple the end user to a central office via a network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein disposing an optical splitter within a main sewer line comprises disposing the optical splitter within the main sewer line wherein the optical splitter is operable to couple a plurality of end users to a central office via a network.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing a sheathing for the fiber optic cable that is compatible with an environment of an active sewer line.

9. A method for providing a copper cable to an end user, the method comprising:

disposing the copper cable having first and second ends within a sewer line coupled to a premises of the end user;

feeding the first end of the copper cable between a flange and a seal disposed beneath a toilet located inside the premises; and

coupling the first end of the copper cable to a network interface device inside the premises of the end user.

10. A method for providing a fiber optic cable to an end user, the method comprising:

means for disposing the fiber optic cable having first and second ends within a sewer line coupled to a premises of the end user;

flange and seal means disposed beneath a toilet located inside the premises for feeding the first end of the fiber optic cable therethrough; and

means for coupling the first end of the fiber optic cable to a network interface device inside the premises of the end user.