Method for opening a proprietary MAC protocol in a non-DOCSIS modem compatibly with a DOCSIS modem
First Claim
1. A method for networking a central controller with a first group of one or more remote devices operating in accordance with a first protocol and a second group of one or more remote devices operating in accordance with a second protocol, comprising:
- assigning one or more time slots on the same logical upstream channel during which said first group and second group of remote devices may transmit information to said central controller;
distinguishing transmissions from said first group of remote devices from transmissions from said second group of remote devices based on said time slot assignments;
routing said transmissions from said first group of remote devices to a first processor operating in accordance with said first protocol within said central controller;
routing said transmissions from said second group of remote devices to a second processor operating in accordance with said second protocol within said central controller;
wherein said assigning includes transmitting a first group message from said central controller to said first group of remote devices via a first multicast transmission and transmitting a second group message from said central controller to said second group of remote devices via a second multicast transmission.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two way communication system is adapted for compatible inter-operation of a plurality of devices operating in accordance with a plurality of protocols. The communication system includes a first group of one or more remote devices that interface with a local host in accordance with a first protocol and a second group of one or more remote devices that interface wit the local host in accordance with a second protocol. The local host includes a protocol processor that identifies transmissions from the first and second groups of remote devices and routes transmissions from the first group of remote devices to a first processor operating in accordance with the first protocol and also routes transmissions from the second group of remote devices to a second processor operating in accordance with the second protocol.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for networking a central controller with a first group of one or more remote devices operating in accordance with a first protocol and a second group of one or more remote devices operating in accordance with a second protocol, comprising:
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assigning one or more time slots on the same logical upstream channel during which said first group and second group of remote devices may transmit information to said central controller; distinguishing transmissions from said first group of remote devices from transmissions from said second group of remote devices based on said time slot assignments; routing said transmissions from said first group of remote devices to a first processor operating in accordance with said first protocol within said central controller; routing said transmissions from said second group of remote devices to a second processor operating in accordance with said second protocol within said central controller; wherein said assigning includes transmitting a first group message from said central controller to said first group of remote devices via a first multicast transmission and transmitting a second group message from said central controller to said second group of remote devices via a second multicast transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for networking a cable modem termination system with a first group of one or more cable modems operating in accordance with a proprietary protocol and a second group of one or more cable modems operating in accordance with a DOCSIS protocol, comprising:
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assigning one or more time slots on the same logical upstream channel during which said first group and second group of cable modems may transmit information to said cable modem termination system; distinguishing transmissions from said first group of cable modems from transmissions from said second group of cable modems based on said time slot assignments; routing said transmissions from said first group of cable modems to a first processor that operates in accordance with said proprietary protocol within said cable modem termination system; routing said transmissions from said second group of cable modems to a second processor that operates in accordance with the DOCSIS protocol within said cable modem termination system; wherein said assigning includes transmitting a first group message from said cable modem termination system to said first group of cable modems via a first multicast transmission and transmitting a second group message from said cable modem termination system to said second group of cable modems via a second multicast transmission. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A two way communication system comprising:
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a first group of one or more remote devices that communicate with a local host in accordance with a first protocol; and a second group of one or more remote devices that communicate with said local host in accordance with a second protocol, wherein said local host assigns one or more time slots on the same logical upstream channel during which said first and second groups of remote devices may transmit information to said local host, wherein said local host comprises a protocol processor for distinguishing transmissions from said first group of remote devices from transmissions from said second group of remote devices based on said time slot assignments, wherein said protocol processor routes said transmissions from said first group of remote devices to a first processor operating in accordance with the first protocol and routes said transmissions from said second group of remote devices to a second processor operating in accordance with the second protocol; wherein said local host assigns said one or more time slots by transmitting a first group message to said first group of one or more remote devices via a first multicast transmission and transmitting a second group message to said second group of one or more remote devices via a second multicast transmission. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A cable television system, comprising:
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a first group of one or more cable modems that communicate with a cable modem termination system in accordance with a proprietary protocol; and a second group of one or more cable modems that communicate with said cable modem termination system in accordance with a DOCSIS protocol, wherein said cable modem termination system assigns one or more time slots on the same logical upstream channel during which said first and second groups of cable modems may transmit information to said cable modem termination system, wherein said cable modem termination system comprises a protocol processor for distinguishing transmissions from said first group of cable modems from transmissions from said second group of cable modems based on said time slot assignments, and wherein said protocol processor routes said transmissions from said first group of cable modems to a first processor operating in accordance with the proprietary protocol and routes said transmissions from said second group of cable modems to a second processor operating in accordance with the DOCSIS protocol; wherein said cable modem termination system assigns said one or more time slots by transmitting a first group message to said first group of one or more cable modems via a first multicast transmission and transmitting a second group message to said second group of one or more cable modems via a second multicast transmission. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification