Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy terminals in an optical network
First Claim
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1. A return path of an optical network system comprising:
- a data service hub for generating downstream optical signals and for transmitting downstream RF-modulated video service control signals, and for receiving upstream RF-modulated video service control signals that are propagated through the optical network system according to one of a contention network protocol and a query-response protocol, the contention network protocol and query-response protocol supporting the control signals independently of time, the data service hub comprising a data scaling restoration unit for restoring upstream RF-modulated video service control signals into an original format; and
at least one subscriber optical interface coupled to the data service hub for receiving the downstream optical signals, and for receiving RF-modulated signals comprising upstream video service control information that is propagated according to one of the contention network protocol and the query-response protocol, the subscriber optical interface comprising an A/D converter for converting the RF-modulated signals to digital signals, the subscriber optical interface comprising a data scaling unit for reducing data contained within the digital signals, the subscriber optical interface modulating an optical carrier with the digital signals for generating upstream optical signals according to a timing dependent protocol and which are sent to the data service hub.
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Abstract
A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A return path of an optical network system comprising:
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a data service hub for generating downstream optical signals and for transmitting downstream RF-modulated video service control signals, and for receiving upstream RF-modulated video service control signals that are propagated through the optical network system according to one of a contention network protocol and a query-response protocol, the contention network protocol and query-response protocol supporting the control signals independently of time, the data service hub comprising a data scaling restoration unit for restoring upstream RF-modulated video service control signals into an original format; and at least one subscriber optical interface coupled to the data service hub for receiving the downstream optical signals, and for receiving RF-modulated signals comprising upstream video service control information that is propagated according to one of the contention network protocol and the query-response protocol, the subscriber optical interface comprising an A/D converter for converting the RF-modulated signals to digital signals, the subscriber optical interface comprising a data scaling unit for reducing data contained within the digital signals, the subscriber optical interface modulating an optical carrier with the digital signals for generating upstream optical signals according to a timing dependent protocol and which are sent to the data service hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing a return path for RF-modulated video service signals in an optical network system comprising the steps of:
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receiving one or more RF-modulated video service control signals comprising upstream control information propagated through the optical network system according to one of a contention network protocol and a query-response protocol, the contention network protocol and query-response protocol supporting the control information independently of time; converting the one or more RF-modulated video service control signals to digital signals with an A/D converter; reducing data contained within the digital signals with a data scaling unit; propagating the digital signals towards a data service hub on an optical carrier over the optical network system according to a timing dependent protocol; receiving the digital signals at the data service hub; and converting the digital signals with a control terminal comprising a data scaling restoration unit back into an original format, the original format comprising the RF-modulated video service control signals that comprise control information propagated according to one of the contention network protocol and the query-response protocol. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method for returning RF signals to a data service hub comprising:
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receiving modulated analog RF video service control signals at a subscriber optical interface comprising upstream video service control signals propagated according to one of a contention network protocol and a query-response protocol, the contention network protocol and query-response protocol supporting the video service control signals independently of time; converting the analog RF video service control signals into digital RF signals; reducing the amount of data contained in the digital RF signals with a data scaling unit; converting the digital RF signals into one or more packets; propagating the packets towards the data service hub with an optical carrier according to a timing dependent protocol; receiving the packets at the data service hub; converting the packets into digital RF signals; and converting the digital RF signals with a control terminal comprising a data scaling restoration unit back into an original format, the original format comprising the RF video service control signals that comprise control information propagated according to one of the contention network protocol and the query-response protocol. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification