Local upstream hub for one-way cable system data/video/services requests
US6378131B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2007/1739
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Most cable television systems in the United States (over 75% as of this application) are structured for one-way only service between the cable headend and the user. With more and more services being introduced that require a two-way connection with the user (e.g. impulse-pay-per-view, home shopping, Internet access), it has become necessary for more and more cable systems to upgrade to a two-way capability at considerable cost and over a fairly long period of time. The typical short-term solution to the lack of two-way capability is to send request backlinks over he user's telephone line. The problem with this solution is that when used, it ties up the telephone line and requires an additional telephone connection to be located near the cable set-top-box or modem. A more practical solution is the hub centered backhaul invention described herein. With this invention, users can operate their cable systems as if they were two-way systems, with all available interactive capabilities available. The request channel, however, will be intercepted at a central location between multiple users, and returned to the cable headend via an alternate communication path. The backlink request will be…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.