EP1604524A1 - System and method for voice/data transmission over cable networks - Google Patents

System and method for voice/data transmission over cable networks

Info

Publication number
EP1604524A1
EP1604524A1 EP03800016A EP03800016A EP1604524A1 EP 1604524 A1 EP1604524 A1 EP 1604524A1 EP 03800016 A EP03800016 A EP 03800016A EP 03800016 A EP03800016 A EP 03800016A EP 1604524 A1 EP1604524 A1 EP 1604524A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
wireless
splitter
circuit
coupled
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03800016A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1604524A4 (en
Inventor
John Sidney Stewart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thomson Licensing SAS
Original Assignee
Thomson Licensing SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thomson Licensing SAS filed Critical Thomson Licensing SAS
Publication of EP1604524A1 publication Critical patent/EP1604524A1/en
Publication of EP1604524A4 publication Critical patent/EP1604524A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/65—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems for broadcast
    • H04H20/71—Wireless systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/22—Adaptations for optical transmission
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2801—Broadband local area networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6106—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6118—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6168—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/10—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
    • H04N7/102—Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers
    • H04N7/104—Switchers or splitters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17345—Control of the passage of the selected programme
    • H04N7/17363—Control of the passage of the selected programme at or near the user terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to voice/data transmission, and more particularly to a method for providing voice/data transmission over cable networks.
  • the two-way capable digital systems have been implemented with proprietary or DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) cable modems. The need for the delivery of voice services to the home over the digital cable system has been established.
  • DOCSIS Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification
  • the end device For both the video service and the high-speed data service, the end device has been inside the home, e.g., digital cable set top box or digital cable modem.
  • the digital termination device it is more traditional to have the digital termination device outside the home. This is the usual practice of the phone companies, which use a Network Interface Device "NID" on the side of a home or other building.
  • NID Network Interface Device
  • One difficulty with the NID outside of the home is integrating a wireless capability because of the low transmit power of the available wireless bands.
  • a wireless communications system comprises a first splitter separating at least two signals, a wireless circuit for processing a first signal as a wireless signal and a combiner connected to the wireless circuit and the splitter, combining the twp signals and transmitting the signals into a service area.
  • the wireless communications system further comprises a second splitter separating the wireless signal from a second signal, and a transmitter for broadcasting the wireless signal.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagram of a system for providing voice/data transmission over cable networks according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for providing voice/data transmission over a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a system and method provides for voice/data transmission over cable networks. It should be noted that throughout the Detailed Description, the terms voice and data are used interchangeably.
  • the present invention may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors, or a combination thereof.
  • the present invention may be implemented in software as an application program tangibly embodied on a program storage device.
  • the application program may be uploaded to, and executed by, a machine comprising any suitable architecture.
  • the machine is implemented on a computer platform having hardware such as one or more central processing units (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and input/output (I/O) interface(s).
  • CPU central processing units
  • RAM random access memory
  • I/O input/output
  • the computer platform also includes an operating system and micro instruction code.
  • the various processes and functions described herein may either be part of the micro instruction code or part of the application program (or a combination thereof), which is executed via the operating system.
  • various other peripheral devices may be connected to the computer platform such as an additional data storage device and a printing device.
  • the wireless data can be passed over an existing coax into the home and splitting the wireless data off once inside the home.
  • Existing video services do not go above approximately 860MHz in most cases.
  • data from the unlicensed bands can be placed on the same cable as video services and split off once inside the home.
  • the wireless voice or data signal can be separated from the video signal, amplified and transmitted via antenna.
  • power for the amplifier can be sent as a DC supply over the coaxial cable or it can be powered by a standard AC/DC power supply.
  • An advantage of using a wireless system for the telephone/cable operator is the reduced amount of wiring needed inside the home. With a wireless phone system, the operator does not need to rewire the twisted pair wiring inside the home.
  • a signal arrives at an interface 101 via a cable 103.
  • a splitter 105 receives the signal and separates a voice portion from a video portion.
  • a voice over HFC (Hybrid Fiber optic Coaxial) circuit 107 processes the voice portion of the signal.
  • a wireless phone circuit 109 can be connected to the voice over HFC circuit 107.
  • the wireless phone circuit 109 converts the voice portion to a wireless signal, for example, a wireless signal having a desired frequency.
  • the wireless phone circuit 109 can be replaced or augmented with another wireless circuit, such as an 802.1 IB wireless data circuit, or any other suitable wireless communications device.
  • the system can support wireless voice and/or data services.
  • Wireless data can be combined with a television signals at a combiner 111.
  • a coaxial cable can be connected to a wireless transmitter 113.
  • the wireless transmitter comprises a hi/low filter 115 for separating the television signal from the wireless data.
  • the television signal can be sent to a television.
  • the wireless data signal can be passed through a narrowband filter 117 and an amplifier before be broadcast by an antenna 121.
  • the signal can be split into telephone and television portions 201.
  • the telephone portion can be processed as a wireless voice and/or data signal 203.
  • the wireless signal is combined with the television signal and the combined signal enters a building or service area 205.
  • the wireless signal can be split from the television signal, filtered and amplified before being transmitted 207.
  • a voice over HFC signal can be transmitted wirelessly inside a service area (e.g., a business).
  • the wireless data can be transmitted on various channels to improve quality and security.
  • the wireless data can also be encrypted prior to wireless transmission, for example, by the wireless phone circuit 109.
  • a receiver e.g., a telephone, can decrypt the wireless signal to prove secure service.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A wireless communications system comprises a first splitter (105) separating at least two signals, a wireless circuit for processing a first signal as a wireless signal and a combiner connected to the wireless circuit (107 & 109) and the splitter (105), combining the two signals and transmitting the signals into a service area. The wireless communications system further comprises a second splitter (115) separating the wireless signal from a second signal, and a transmitter (113) for broadcasting the wireless signal.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VOICE/DATA TRANSMISSION OVER CABLE NETWORKS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to voice/data transmission, and more particularly to a method for providing voice/data transmission over cable networks.
2. Discussion of Related Art
As cable operators switch the existing analog cable systems over to two-way capable digital systems additional types of content can be carried. Other benefits include an increased number of available channels and improved video quality. The two-way capable digital systems have been implemented with proprietary or DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) cable modems. The need for the delivery of voice services to the home over the digital cable system has been established.
For both the video service and the high-speed data service, the end device has been inside the home, e.g., digital cable set top box or digital cable modem. However, for voice services, it is more traditional to have the digital termination device outside the home. This is the usual practice of the phone companies, which use a Network Interface Device "NID" on the side of a home or other building. One difficulty with the NID outside of the home is integrating a wireless capability because of the low transmit power of the available wireless bands.
Therefore, a need exists for a method of providing voice/data transmission over cable networks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A wireless communications system comprises a first splitter separating at least two signals, a wireless circuit for processing a first signal as a wireless signal and a combiner connected to the wireless circuit and the splitter, combining the twp signals and transmitting the signals into a service area. The wireless communications system further comprises a second splitter separating the wireless signal from a second signal, and a transmitter for broadcasting the wireless signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a diagram of a system for providing voice/data transmission over cable networks according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for providing voice/data transmission over a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system and method provides for voice/data transmission over cable networks. It should be noted that throughout the Detailed Description, the terms voice and data are used interchangeably.
It is to be understood that the present invention may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention may be implemented in software as an application program tangibly embodied on a program storage device. The application program may be uploaded to, and executed by, a machine comprising any suitable architecture. Preferably, the machine is implemented on a computer platform having hardware such as one or more central processing units (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and input/output (I/O) interface(s). The computer platform also includes an operating system and micro instruction code. The various processes and functions described herein may either be part of the micro instruction code or part of the application program (or a combination thereof), which is executed via the operating system. In addition, various other peripheral devices may be connected to the computer platform such as an additional data storage device and a printing device.
It is to be further understood that, because some of the constituent system components and method steps depicted in the accompanying figures may be implemented in software, the actual connections between the system components (or the process steps) may differ depending upon the manner in which the present invention is programmed. Given the teachings of the present invention provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will be able to contemplate these and similar implementations or configurations of the present invention. One difficulty with an NLD outside of the home is integrating a wireless capability for either the voice or the data services. This is because the transmit power allowed by the current unlicensed wireless bands, e.g., 900MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz, is not enough to effectively penetrate an exterior wall of the home. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless data can be passed over an existing coax into the home and splitting the wireless data off once inside the home. Existing video services do not go above approximately 860MHz in most cases. Thus, data from the unlicensed bands can be placed on the same cable as video services and split off once inside the home. Once inside the home the wireless voice or data signal can be separated from the video signal, amplified and transmitted via antenna. In addition, power for the amplifier can be sent as a DC supply over the coaxial cable or it can be powered by a standard AC/DC power supply.
An advantage of using a wireless system for the telephone/cable operator is the reduced amount of wiring needed inside the home. With a wireless phone system, the operator does not need to rewire the twisted pair wiring inside the home.
Most currently installed coax cable does not effectively transmit frequencies above 900MHz very well. However, in most cases the wireless band extraction circuit will be close to the entry point of the coaxial cable. It is expected that the length of coaxial transmission will be short enough, e.g., less than 15 feet, that the coaxial cable losses will not be very large even at high frequencies.
Referring to Fig. 1, a signal arrives at an interface 101 via a cable 103. A splitter 105 receives the signal and separates a voice portion from a video portion. A voice over HFC (Hybrid Fiber optic Coaxial) circuit 107 processes the voice portion of the signal. A wireless phone circuit 109 can be connected to the voice over HFC circuit 107. The wireless phone circuit 109 converts the voice portion to a wireless signal, for example, a wireless signal having a desired frequency. The wireless phone circuit 109 can be replaced or augmented with another wireless circuit, such as an 802.1 IB wireless data circuit, or any other suitable wireless communications device. Thus, the system can support wireless voice and/or data services. Wireless data can be combined with a television signals at a combiner 111. A coaxial cable can be connected to a wireless transmitter 113. The wireless transmitter comprises a hi/low filter 115 for separating the television signal from the wireless data. The television signal can be sent to a television. The wireless data signal can be passed through a narrowband filter 117 and an amplifier before be broadcast by an antenna 121. Referring to Fig. 2, the signal can be split into telephone and television portions 201. The telephone portion can be processed as a wireless voice and/or data signal 203. The wireless signal is combined with the television signal and the combined signal enters a building or service area 205. The wireless signal can be split from the television signal, filtered and amplified before being transmitted 207. Thus, a voice over HFC signal can be transmitted wirelessly inside a service area (e.g., a business).
The wireless data can be transmitted on various channels to improve quality and security. The wireless data can also be encrypted prior to wireless transmission, for example, by the wireless phone circuit 109. A receiver, e.g., a telephone, can decrypt the wireless signal to prove secure service.
Having described embodiments for a method for providing a status to a mobile device, it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Having thus described the invention with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:
1. A wireless communications system comprising: a first splitter (105) separating a first signal from a second signal; a wireless circuit (107 & 109) coupled to the first splitter (105) for processing the first signal as a wireless signal; a combiner (111) coupled to the wireless circuit (107 & 109) and the splitter (105), combining the wireless signal and the second signal into a combined signal and transmitting the combined signal into a service area; a second splitter (115) coupled to the combiner (111) separating the wireless signal from the second signal; and a transmitter (113) coupled to the second splitter (115) for broadcasting the wireless signal.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless circuit comprises: a voice over cable circuit, wherein the voice over cable circuit preprocesses the first signal; and a wireless data circuit converts the first signal into the wireless signal.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second splitter comprises a hi/low filter.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises: a narrowband filter coupled to the second splitter; an amplifier receiving the wireless signal from the second splitter; and an antenna, coupled to the amplifier, for broadcasting the wireless signal.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second signal is a television signal.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal exists above about 900MHz and the second signal exists below about 900MHz.
7. A method of data transmission comprising the steps of: splitting a signal into a first signal portion and a second signal portion (201); processing the first signal portion as a wireless data signal (203); combining the wireless data signal with the second signal portion into a combined signal (205); transmitting the combined signal through a media; splitting the wireless data signal from the second signal from the combined signal; and broadcasting, wirelessly, the wireless data signal (207).
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first signal portion is a voice signal.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second signal portion is a television signal.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: filtering the wireless data signal; and amplifying the wireless data signal before broadcast.
11. A wireless communications system comprising: means for splitting a two-way digital cable signal into at least a first signal portion and a second signal portion; means for processing the first signal portion as a wireless data signal; means for combining the wireless data signal with the second signal portion into a combined signal; means for transmitting the combined signal through a coaxial cable; means for splitting the wireless data signal from the second signal in the combined signal; and means for broadcasting, wirelessly, the wireless data signal.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for splitting the wireless data signal from the second signal in the combined signal comprises a hi/low filter.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the hi/low filter splits the first signal portion, existing above about 900MHz, from the second signal portion, existing below about 900MHz.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for processing the first signal portion comprises: a voice over cable circuit, wherein the voice over cable circuit preprocesses the first signal portion; and a wireless data circuit converts the first signal portion into the wireless data signal.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein means for broadcasting comprises: a narrowband filter connected to the second splitter; an amplifier receiving the wireless signal from the second splitter; and an antenna, coupled to the amplifier, for broadcasting the wireless signal.
16. A voice and data signal processing device comprising: a first splitter (105) separating a first signal from a second signal; a wireless circuit (107 & 109) coupled to the first splitter (105) for processing the first signal as a wireless signal; a combiner (111) coupled to the wireless circuit (107 & 109) and the splitter (105), combining the wireless signal and the second signal into a combined signal and transmitting the combined signal into a service area.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the wireless circuit comprises: a voice over cable circuit, wherein the voice over cable circuit preprocesses the first signal; and a wireless data circuit converts the first signal into the wireless signal.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the second splitter comprises a hi/low filter.
19. The device of claim 16, wherein the transmitter comprises: a narrowband filter coupled to the second splitter; an amplifier receiving the wireless signal from the second splitter; and an antenna, coupled to the amplifier, for broadcasting the wireless signal.
20. A apparatus for a combined wireless voice and date signal comprising: a splitter (115) for separating a wireless signal from a receiver signal the wireless signal and another signal; and a transmitter (113) coupled to the splitter (115) for broadcasting the wireless signal.
EP03800016A 2003-02-18 2003-12-19 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING VOICE / DATA ON CABLE NETWORKS Withdrawn EP1604524A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US36891403A 2003-02-18 2003-02-18
US368914 2003-02-18
PCT/US2003/040580 WO2004075552A1 (en) 2003-02-18 2003-12-19 System and method for voice/data transmission over cable networks

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1604524A1 true EP1604524A1 (en) 2005-12-14
EP1604524A4 EP1604524A4 (en) 2006-05-03

Family

ID=32907647

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03800016A Withdrawn EP1604524A4 (en) 2003-02-18 2003-12-19 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING VOICE / DATA ON CABLE NETWORKS

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1604524A4 (en)
JP (1) JP2006522497A (en)
KR (1) KR20050102120A (en)
CN (1) CN1751515A (en)
AU (1) AU2003299737A1 (en)
BR (1) BR0318119A (en)
MX (1) MXPA05008733A (en)
WO (1) WO2004075552A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5987303A (en) * 1996-05-29 1999-11-16 At&T Corp. Wireless transmission using fiber link
JP2002502156A (en) * 1998-01-27 2002-01-22 トムソン コンシユーマ エレクトロニクス インコーポレイテツド System and method for providing IP / Internet telephony
US6513163B1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2003-01-28 Transcept, Inc. Embedded forward reference and control
JP2001189742A (en) * 1999-12-28 2001-07-10 Ls Net:Kk Communication equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MXPA05008733A (en) 2006-05-31
AU2003299737A1 (en) 2004-09-09
JP2006522497A (en) 2006-09-28
CN1751515A (en) 2006-03-22
WO2004075552A1 (en) 2004-09-02
EP1604524A4 (en) 2006-05-03
KR20050102120A (en) 2005-10-25
BR0318119A (en) 2006-02-07

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