System and method for routing data messages through a cable transmission system

• US 6,996,836 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• 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): Srivastava, Vivek
• Application Number:
  US10/298,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20030126618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 725/32, 725/119, 725/12, 725/105, 725/114, 725/116, 725/117, 725/121, 725/122, 725/126, 725/127, 725/131, 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.

Claims

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

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

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

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