Apparatus and method for integrating downstream data transfer over a cable television channel with upstream data carrier by other media
US5534913A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04H40/18
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A split channel bridging unit includes a router that operates under the control of a control processor to route packets of information destined for a user to a modulator which is connected to the cable distribution head-end of the cable television system which serves the requesting user. The modulator encodes the digital information transmitted from the router and encodes it in an RF channel to be carded by the television cable. The cable distribution head-end combines this channel with other conventional cable television sources to broadcast these channels to its users. The customer premises equipment of the user includes an RF demodulator and packet receiver which demodulates the RF encoded signals and utilizes the packet receiver to transmit the digital information addressed to the particular user to the user's personal computer. Upstream requests are made by the user by utilizing a modem connection over the public switched telephone network with a terminating modem contained in the split channel bridging unit. Secured low-speed control information is preferably supported bidirectionally by utilizing a modem connection over the public switched telephone network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.