Wireless digital data access system and method

• US 5,706,048 A
• Filed: 04/24/1995
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Davis, Mark Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US08/427,325
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 348/12, 348/7, 348/13, 348/6, 455/4.2, 455/4.1, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 725/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/02 Hybrid access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A communication system includes a high data capacity microwave link in the millimeter band. A defined frequency band is segmented allowing for direct video transmission in a first segment while at the same time achieving full duplex operation within a second segment. The system provides a wide variety of data and video services including two-way video communication and data transfer, direct broadcast video, video teleconferencing, video library access and telephony. A subscriber transmits a request for custom video, a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real time asymmetrical data download. The hub allocates the appropriate bandwidth necessary for the service and assigns a carrier frequency and time-slot to the subscriber. The hub retrieves the appropriate video or data and transmits it to the subscriber, or establishes a data link between the subscriber and a data network.

Claims

1. A method for communicating over a segmented frequency band having first and second adjacent segments, said first segment for continuous video transmission and said second segment for two-way communication, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting, to a subscriber station, continuous video data in said first segment;

(b) receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment;

(c) assigning a frequency channel of said second segment to said subscriber unit in response to said first data; and

(d) transmitting second data to said subscriber station over said frequency channel of said second segment in response to said first data,

wherein step (a) is performed during the performance of steps (b) (c), and (d).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving step includes the step of receiving said first data from said subscriber station where said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download.

3. A method for communicating over a segmented frequency band having first and second adjacent segments, said first segment for continuous video transmission and said second segment for two-way communication, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting, to a subscriber station, continuous video data in said first segment;

(b) receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment; and

(c) transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data,

wherein step (a) is performed during the performance of steps (b) and (c),

wherein the receiving step includes the step of receiving said first data from said subscriber station wherein said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download,

wherein said first segment is comprised of first, and second video subbands said second segment is comprised of first and second data subbands, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of;

(a1) transmitting, by a first communication hub to a first subscriber station, said continuous video data in said first video subband, said first subscriber station located in a first geographic region being served by said first communication hub;

(a2) transmitting, by a second communication hub to a second subscriber station, said continuous video data in said second video subband, said second subscriber station located within a second geographic region being served by said second communication hub;

(b1) receiving said first data from said first subscriber station in said first data subband;

(b2) receiving third data from said second subscriber station in said second data subband;

(c1) transmitting, by said first communication hub to said first subscriber station, said second data in said first data subband in response to said first data; and

(c2) transmitting, by said second communication hub to said second subscriber station, fourth data in said second data subband in response to said third data,

wherein said first and third data include a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first data subband comprises time division and frequency division multiplexed frequency channels that are non-interfering with time division and frequency division multiplexed frequency channels of said second data subband.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first segment includes a third video subband and said second segment includes a third data subband, and the method further comprises the steps of:

(a3) transmitting, by a third communication hub to a third subscriber station located in a third geographic region, said continuous video data in said third video subband;

(b3) receiving fifth data from said third subscriber station in said third data subband, said fifth data including a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download; and

(c3) transmitting by said third communication hub to said third subscriber station, sixth data in said third data subband in response to said fifth data.

6. A method for communicating over a segmented frequency band having first and second adjacent segments, said first segment for continuous video transmission and said second segment for two-way communication, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting, to a subscriber station, continuous video data in said first segment;

(b) receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment; and

(c) transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data,

wherein step (a) is performed during the performance of steps (b) and (c),

wherein the receiving step includes the step of receiving said first data from said subscriber station where said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of;

assigning, when said request is for said custom video transmission, a frequency channel of said first segment that includes receive time-slots;

assigning, when said request is for establishment of said real-time two-way data link, a frequency channel of said second segment that includes receive and transmit time-slots; and

assigning, when said request is for said non-real-time asymmetrical data download, a frequency channel of said second segment that includes receive time-slots.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of providing said subscriber station an authorization to decode said custom video transmission when said request is for said custom video transmission.

8. A method for communicating over a segmented frequency band having first and second adjacent segments, said first segment for continuous video transmission and said second segment for two-way communication, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting, to a subscriber station, continuous video data in said first segment;

(b) receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment; and

(c) transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data,

wherein step (a) is performed during the performance of steps (b) and (c),

wherein said second segment is time division multiplexed and includes receive and transmit time-slots, and wherein;

the receiving step includes the step of receiving, from said subscriber station, channel assignment requests in said second segment,

the method further comprises the step of assigning said subscriber station at least one of said receive time-slots of said second segment in response to said first data, and

step (c) includes the step of transmitting said second data to said subscriber station wherein said subscriber station receives said second data during said receive time-slots.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the assigning step further comprises the step of assigning said subscriber station at least one of said transmit time-slots of said second segment, and wherein step (b) includes the step of receiving said first data from said subscriber station during said transmit time-slots.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said segmented frequency band has a frequency range between 25 and 35 GHz and a bandwidth between 0.5 and 2.0 GHz, said bandwidth comprising said first and second segments, and wherein step (a) includes the step of transmitting continuous video data in said first segment, and

wherein steps (a) and (c) include the step of transmitting to a single antenna of said subscriber station, said single antenna receiving said continuous video data and said second data simultaneously.

11. A method for communicating over a segmented frequency band having a first segment and a second segment, said first segment for continuous video transmission and said second segment for two-way communication, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting, continuous video data in said first segment;

receiving a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download from a subscriber station in said second segment;

assigning, when said request is for said custom video transmission, a frequency channel of said first segment that includes only receive time-slots;

assigning, when said request is for establishment of said real-time two-way data link, a frequency channel of said second segment that includes both receive and transmit time-slots; and

assigning, when said request is for said non-real-time asymmetrical data download, a frequency channel of said second segment that includes only receive time-slots.

12. A communication system that provides continuous video transmission and two-way data communication between a subscriber station and a communication hub within a frequency band, said frequency band having at least a first segment for said continuous video transmission, and a second adjacent segment for said two-way data or voice communication, said system comprising:

a receiver for receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment; and

a transmitter for transmitting continuous video data in said first segment, assigning a frequency channel of said second segment in response to said first data, and transmitting second data to said subscriber station on said frequency channel of said second segment in response to said first data.

13. A communication system as claimed in claim 12 further comprising means for receiving said first data from said subscriber station wherein said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download.

14. A communication system that provides continuous video transmission and two-way data communication between a subscriber station and a communication hub within a frequency band, said frequency band having a first segment for said continuous video transmission, and a second adjacent segment for said two-way data communication, said system comprising:

a receiver for receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment,

a transmitter for transmitting continuous video data in said first segment, and transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data; and

means for receiving said first data from said subscriber station wherein said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download,

wherein said first segment is comprised of first, and second video subbands said second segment is comprised of first and second data subbands, and wherein the communication system further comprises;

means for transmitting, by a first communication hub to a first subscriber station, said continuous video data in said first video subband, said first subscriber station located in a first geographic region being served by said first communication hub;

means for transmitting, by a second communication hub to a second subscriber station, said continuous video data in said second video subband, said second subscriber station located within a second geographic region being served by said second communication hub;

means for receiving said first data from said first subscriber station in said first data subband;

means for receiving third data from said second subscriber station in said second data subband;

means for transmitting, by said first communication hub to said first subscriber station, said second data in said first data subband in response to said first data; and

means for transmitting, by said second communication hub to said second subscriber station, fourth data in said second data subband in response to said third data,

wherein said first and third data include a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download.

15. A communication system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said first data subband comprises time division and frequency division multiplexed frequency channels that are non-interfering with time division and frequency division multiplexed frequency channels of said second data subband.

16. A communication system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said first segment includes a third video subband and said second segment includes a third data subband, and the communication system further comprises:

means for transmitting, by a third communication hub to a third subscriber station located in a third geographic region, said continuous video data in said third video subband;

means for receiving fifth data from said third subscriber station in said third data subband, said fifth data including a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download; and

means for transmitting by said third communication hub to said third subscriber station, sixth data in said third data subband in response to said fifth data.

17. A communication system that provides continuous video transmission and two-way data communication between a subscriber station and a communication hub within a frequency band, said frequency band having a first segment for said continuous video transmission, and a second adjacent segment for said two-way data communication, said system comprising:

a receiver for receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment, and

a transmitter for transmitting continuous video data in said first segment, and transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data,

wherein the receiver includes means for receiving said first data from said subscriber station where said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download, and wherein the communication system further comprises;

means for assigning, when said request is for said custom video transmission, a frequency channel of said first segment that includes receive time-slots;

means for assigning, when said request is for establishment of said real-time two-way data link, a frequency channel of said second segment that includes receive and transmit time-slots; and

means for assigning, when said request is for said non-real-time asymmetrical data download, a frequency channel of said second segment that includes receive time-slots.

18. A communication system that provides continuous video transmission and two-way data communication between a subscriber station and a communication hub within a frequency band, said frequency band having a first segment for said continuous video transmission, and a second adjacent segment for said two-way data communication, said system comprising:

a receiver for receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment, and

a transmitter for transmitting continuous video data in said first segment, and transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data,

wherein said second segment is time division multiplexed and includes receive and transmit time-slots, and wherein;

the receiver includes means for receiving, from said subscriber station, channel assignment requests in said second segment, and

the communication system further comprises means for assigning said subscriber station at least one of said receive time-slots of said second segment in response to said first data, and

means for transmitting said second data to said subscriber station wherein said subscriber station receives said second data during said receive time-slots.

19. A communication system as claimed in claim 18 further comprising means for assigning said subscriber station at least one of said transmit time-slots of said second segment, and means for receiving said first data from said subscriber station during said transmit time-slots.

20. A communication system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said frequency band has a frequency range between 25 and 35 GHz and a bandwidth between 0.5 and 2.0 GHz, said bandwidth comprising said first and second segments, and includes means for transmitting to a single antenna of said subscriber station, said single antenna receiving said continuous video data and said second data simultaneously.