CATV network and cable modem system having a wireless return path
US6075972A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N7/17309
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A two-way CATV network having a radio return path. A cable headend controller is used to control downstream as well as upstream communications over the two-way CATV network. Downstream signals are sent to subscribers' cable modems through conventional coaxial cables. On the upstream side, a signal generated at a first frequency by an interactive cable modem. This signal is then sent to a transmitter applique, which converts the signal to a second frequency. The signal is then transmitted through a wireless segment at this second frequency to a receiver applique. The receiver applique converts the transmitted signal into a third frequency. In some cases, the third frequency is the same as the third frequency. Eventually, the upstream signal is sent to the headend controller. Throughout the entire upstream transmission process, the same signal is maintained; only its frequency is changed. In the various embodiments, the first, second, and third frequencies are the same; the first frequency is the same as the third frequency but not the second frequency; and the first channel can be the same as the third channel but is not the same as the second channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.