System and method for distributing voice and data information over wireless and wireline networks

• US 7,525,959 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gorman, Michael George
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo; John
• Application Number:
  US11/112,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20050271080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/329, 370/386, 370/442, 370/535, 370/352, 455/426
• US Class Current: 370/386
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A method and device for distributing both high-speed data service, such as digital computer, video and multimedia data, and lower speed data service, such as POTS voice telephone signals, throughout a customer premises. High-speed digital data and lower speed POTS voice signals are separated by a POTS splitter and distributed throughout the customer premises on separate distribution networks. The lower speed POTS is carried on a wireless distribution network and the high-speed data carried on the existing customer premises wiring ordinarily used for POTS.

Claims

1. A system for providing access to a higher data transmission rate channel and a lower data transmission rate channel present on a communications trunk, the system comprising:

an integral transmission line integrated into a premises served by the communications trunk;

a digital wireless distribution system for communicating the lower data transmission rate channel at the premises, the digital wireless distribution system configured with a multiple channel format;

a splitter associated with a termination of the communications trunk, the splitter configured to separate the higher data transmission rate channel for transmission over the integral transmission line and the lower data transmission rate channel for transmission over the digital wireless distribution system; and

an alarm system in communication with the lower data transmission rate channel.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a switch in communication with the digital wireless communication system and the integral transmission line, wherein the switch provides the lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line upon the detection of a power outage.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the switch is connected to an alternating current power supply of the premises to detect a loss of power at the premises and provides lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line.

4. A system for providing access to a higher data transmission rate channel and a lower data transmission rate channel present on a communications trunk, the system comprising:

an integral transmission line integrated into a premises served by the communications trunk;

a digital wireless distribution system for communicating the lower data transmission rate channel at the premises, the digital wireless distribution system comprising a wireless controller wherein the wireless controller is configured to utilize alternating current wiring at the premises as a transmitting antenna;

a splitter associated with a termination of the communications trunk, the splitter configured to separate the higher data transmission rate channel for transmission over the integral transmission line and the lower data transmission rate channel for transmission over the digital wireless distribution system; and

an alarm system in communication with the lower data transmission rate channel.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a switch in communication with the digital wireless communication system and the integral transmission line, wherein the switch provides the lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line upon the detection of a power outage.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the switch is connected to an alternating current power supply of the premises to detect a loss of power at the premises and provides lower data transmission rate channel on the integral transmission line.

7. A system for providing access to a higher data transmission rate channel and a lower data transmission rate channel present on a communications trunk, the system comprising:

means for transporting a signal to a customer premises, the signal comprising the higher data transmission rate channel and the lower data transmission rate channel;

means for separating the signal into the higher data transmission rate channel and the lower data transmission rate channel;

wireless distribution means for communicating the lower data transmission rate channel within the customer premises; and

wireline distribution means for communicating the higher data transmission rate channel within the customer premises, wherein the lower data transmission signal is not carried by the wireline distribution means, and wherein the wireless distribution means comprises a wireless controller wherein the wireless controller is configured to utilize alternating current wiring at the premises as a transmitting antenna.