公开(公告)号：US06349138B1

公开(公告)日：2002-02-19

申请号：US08841510

申请日：1997-04-23

申请人： Bharat Tarachand Doshi ,  Subrahmanyam Dravida ,  George John Kustka ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Curtis A. Siller ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

发明人： Bharat Tarachand Doshi ,  Subrahmanyam Dravida ,  George John Kustka ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Curtis A. Siller ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

IPC分类号： H04N7167

CPC分类号： H04L1/0057 ,  H04L1/0071 ,  H04L1/0085 ,  H04L12/2801 ,  H04L25/03866 ,  H04N7/173

摘要： The specification relates to a method and apparatus supporting multiple access, bi-directional data and multimedia transfer described over a hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network, though applicable to transmissions over other media as well. The protocol associated with the present invention supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. The protocol supports different access modes such as STM, ATM, and VL; within each subframe of a subframe/frame/masterframe structure. The protocol is utilized over a system which provides for forward error correction (FEC) and scrambling/descrambling, while eliminating the deleterious effects on the error correcting capability of the FEC due to the bit error spreading associated with a scrambling/descrambling function. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources.

摘要翻译： 本说明书涉及一种支持通过混合光纤/同轴电缆（HFC）网络描述的多路访问，双向数据和多媒体传输的方法和装置，尽管适用于其它介质上的传输。 与本发明相关联的协议支持从头端到电缆调制解调器的下行广播传输，并且还为电缆调制解调器的带宽分配提供发送回头端。 该协议支持不同的接入方式，如STM，ATM和VL; 在子帧/帧/主帧结构的每个子帧内。 该协议通过提供前向纠错（FEC）和加扰/解扰的系统来利用，同时消除由于与加扰/解扰功能相关联的比特误差扩展对FEC的纠错能力的有害影响。 该协议适应于对电路和分组模式应用的混合的不断变化的需求，并且响应于各种突发和等时业务源来分配上行和下行带宽。

公开(公告)号：US6041051A

公开(公告)日：2000-03-21

申请号：US832255

申请日：1997-04-03

申请人： Bharat Tarachand Doshi ,  Subrahmanyam Dravida ,  George John Kustka ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Curtis A. Siller ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

发明人： Bharat Tarachand Doshi ,  Subrahmanyam Dravida ,  George John Kustka ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Curtis A. Siller ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

IPC分类号： H04L12/28 ,  H04L12/56 ,  H04Q11/04 ,  H04L12/66

CPC分类号： H04W28/06 ,  H04L12/2801 ,  H04Q11/0478 ,  H04L2012/5605 ,  H04L2012/5606 ,  H04L2012/561 ,  H04W72/0446 ,  H04W72/0453 ,  H04W74/00 ,  H04W88/06

摘要： The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a cellular wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as STM, ATM, and VL; within each subframe of a subframe/frame/masterframe structure. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. In order to satisfy the quality of service requirements of varied applications, while maintaining high bandwidth efficiency, the protocol utilizes a subframe structure with subframe partitioning into regions; one region dedicated to STM payload transmission, a second region dedicated to ATM cell transmission, and a third region dedicated to VL payload transmissions.

摘要翻译： 该规范涉及用于双向混合光纤/同轴（HFC）网络的宽带多址协议。 该协议支持从头端到电缆调制解调器的下行广播传输，并且还为电缆调制解调器的带宽分配提供发送回头端。 虽然关于HFC网络描述了本发明，但是它也同样适用于蜂窝式无线通信环境。 该协议支持不同的接入方式，如STM，ATM和VL; 在子帧/帧/主帧结构的每个子帧内。 该协议适应于对电路和分组模式应用的混合的不断变化的需求，并且响应于各种突发和等时业务源来分配上行和下行带宽。 为了满足各种应用的服务质量要求，在保持高带宽效率的同时，协议利用子帧结构，将子帧划分到区域中; 专用于STM有效载荷传输的一个区域，专用于ATM信元传输的第二区域和专用于VL有效载荷传输的第三区域。

公开(公告)号：US6055242A

公开(公告)日：2000-04-25

申请号：US812469

申请日：1997-03-06

申请人： Bharat Tarachand Doshi ,  Subrahmanyam Dravida ,  George John Kustka ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Curtis A. Siller ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

发明人： Bharat Tarachand Doshi ,  Subrahmanyam Dravida ,  George John Kustka ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Curtis A. Siller ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

IPC分类号： H04J3/16 ,  H04L12/28 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/61 ,  H04J3/24 ,  H04L12/43

CPC分类号： H04N21/6118 ,  H04J3/1694 ,  H04L12/2801 ,  H04N21/6168 ,  H04N7/17309

摘要： The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as synchronous transfer mode, asynchronous transfer mode, and variable length data. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. In order to satisfy the quality of service requirements of varied applications, while maintaining high bandwidth efficiency, the protocol utilizes a frame structure with frame partitioning into regions; one region dedicated to STM payload and asynchronous, second region dedicated to ATM and VL payloads, messaging and control.

摘要翻译： 该规范涉及用于双向混合光纤/同轴（HFC）网络的宽带多址协议。 该协议支持从头端到电缆调制解调器的下行广播传输，并且还为电缆调制解调器的带宽分配提供发送回头端。 虽然本发明是关于HFC网络进行描述的，但也可应用于无线通信环境。 该协议支持不同的访问模式，如同步传输模式，异步传输模式和可变长度数据。 该协议适应于对电路和分组模式应用的混合的不断变化的需求，并且响应于各种突发和等时业务源来分配上行和下行带宽。 为了满足各种应用的服务质量要求，在保持高带宽效率的同时，协议利用帧分区的帧结构， 一个专用于STM有效载荷的区域和专用于ATM和VL有效载荷的异步，第二区域，消息和控制。

公开(公告)号：US5570355A

公开(公告)日：1996-10-29

申请号：US340927

申请日：1994-11-17

申请人： James E. Dail ,  Chia-Chang Li ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram ,  Norman A. Whitaker, Jr.

发明人： James E. Dail ,  Chia-Chang Li ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram ,  Norman A. Whitaker, Jr.

IPC分类号： H04J3/16 ,  H04J3/00 ,  H04J3/17 ,  H04L12/56 ,  H04L12/64 ,  H04Q11/04

CPC分类号： H04Q11/0478 ,  H04L12/6418 ,  H04J2203/0069 ,  H04J2203/0089 ,  H04L2012/5632 ,  H04L2012/5672 ,  H04L2012/6421 ,  H04L2012/6427 ,  H04L2012/644 ,  H04L2012/6448 ,  H04L2012/6462 ,  H04L2012/6486

摘要： STM traffic, e.g. voice and video telephony (VT), as well as packet mode (e.g. ATM) traffic, e.g. broadcast digital video, interactive television, and data, are transmitted via a multiple access broadband fiber/coaxial cable network. Customer premises equipment (CPE) at stations, and a bandwidth controller, which may be at a head end or central office, with which all stations communicate, work together to adapt to the changing demands of the traffic mix, and efficiently allocate bandwidth to a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. The bandwidth allocation defines two types of time slots, STM and ATM, and divides each frame into two corresponding STM and ATM regions. The boundary between the regions can be changed dynamically. A contention access signaling channel is provided in the STM region, for call control and set-up requests. Within the STM region, the time slots can be of variable length and be allocated on a per call basis; the length of the time slots is proportional to the bandwidth requirement of STM calls. Within the ATM region, the time slots are of fixed length, each capable of accommodating one ATM cell. Further, the fixed length ATM time slots may be reserved for a particular user for the duration of a call, or may be shared through a contention process. At least one contention ATM time slot is always made available for signaling messages related to ATM call control and set-up requests. The downstream time frame is structured in a similar manner, but includes an additional MAP field to transmit to the stations ATM time slot allocation and status information for time slots in the upstream channel.

摘要翻译： STM业务，例如 语音和视频电话（VT），以及分组模式（例如ATM）业务，例如。 广播数字视频，交互式电视和数据通过多址宽带光纤/同轴电缆网络传输。 站点的客户端设备（CPE）以及可能位于所有站点通信的前端或中心局的带宽控制器，一起工作以适应流量混合的不断变化的需求，并且有效地将带宽分配给 各种突发和同步流量来源。 带宽分配定义了两种类型的时隙STM和ATM，并将每个帧划分为两个对应的STM和ATM区域。 区域之间的边界可以动态变化。 在STM区域中提供争用接入信令信道，用于呼叫控制和建立请求。 在STM区域内，时隙可以是可变长度，并且按每个呼叫分配; 时隙的长度与STM呼叫的带宽要求成比例。 在ATM区域内，时隙是固定长度的，每个时隙可容纳一个ATM信元。 此外，固定长度的ATM时隙可以在呼叫期间为特定用户保留，或者可以通过争用过程共享。 总是使至少一个争用ATM时隙可用于与ATM呼叫控制和建立请求有关的信令消息。 下游时间帧以类似的方式构成，但是包括附加的MAP字段，用于向站中的ATM时隙分配和上行信道中的时隙的状态信息进行发送。

公开(公告)号：US5953344A

公开(公告)日：1999-09-14

申请号：US762789

申请日：1996-12-10

申请人： James E. Dail ,  Chia-Chang Li ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

发明人： James E. Dail ,  Chia-Chang Li ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Kotikalapudi Sriram

IPC分类号： H04J3/16 ,  H04L12/56 ,  H04L12/64 ,  H04N21/222 ,  H04N21/2381 ,  H04N21/2385 ,  H04N21/239 ,  H04N21/61 ,  H04N21/643 ,  H04Q11/04 ,  H04L5/22

CPC分类号： H04N21/2381 ,  H04J3/1694 ,  H04L12/6418 ,  H04N21/2221 ,  H04N21/2385 ,  H04N21/239 ,  H04N21/6118 ,  H04N21/64307 ,  H04Q11/0478 ,  H04J2203/0069 ,  H04L2012/5605 ,  H04L2012/5606 ,  H04L2012/561 ,  H04L2012/5632 ,  H04L2012/6427 ,  H04L2012/6456

摘要： A head-end dynamically allocates bandwidth of a communications channel as a function of the type of communications traffic. In particular, the head-end communicates to subscriber stations via a broadband cable network using an access protocol, which is modified to provide a variable number of mini-slots and a variable number of data slots in each frame. Each mini-slot is used to request assignment of a data slot(s) to subscriber stations for the communication of information and, also, as a vehicle to resolve contention between subscriber stations. The head-end dynamically adjusts the number of mini-slots over a period time as a function of the type of communications traffic, e.g., bursty and isochronous traffic sources. Any variation in the number of mini-slots concomitantly effects the number of data slots available to communicate information. For example, less mini-slots provides more data slots. As a result, the dynamic adjustment of the number of mini-slots allows the head-end to more efficiently allocate bandwidth on the communications channel.

摘要翻译： 根据通信流量的类型，头端动态地分配通信信道的带宽。 特别地，头端通过使用接入协议的宽带有线网络与用户站通信，接入协议被修改为在每帧中提供可变数目的小时隙和可变数量的数据时隙。 每个小时隙用于请求分配给订户站的数据时隙用于信息的通信，并且还用作解决用户站之间争用的工具。 前端根据通信业务的类型（例如突发和等时业务源）动态地调整一段时间内的小时隙数量。 迷你时隙数量的任何变化同时影响可用于传达信息的数据时隙数量。 例如，较少的迷你插槽提供更多的数据插槽。 结果，微时隙的数量的动态调整允许前端在通信信道上更有效地分配带宽。

公开(公告)号：US06577714B1

公开(公告)日：2003-06-10

申请号：US08824106

申请日：1997-03-25

申请人： Thomas Edward Darcie ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Norman Ashton Whitaker, Jr.

发明人： Thomas Edward Darcie ,  Peter D. Magill ,  Norman Ashton Whitaker, Jr.

IPC分类号： H04M1100

CPC分类号： G06F17/30554 ,  G06F17/30241 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04L29/12103 ,  H04L29/12113 ,  H04L61/1535 ,  H04L61/1541 ,  H04L67/14 ,  H04L67/16 ,  H04L67/18 ,  H04L67/36 ,  H04L69/329

摘要： A method and system are disclosed for a map-based directory service. Users are presented with a map on a computer screen, the map having symbols indicating real-world locations such as buildings, streets, parks, and bodies of water. A close correspondence exists between the map and the real-world. The map further has symbols indicating virtual locations. A virtual location, as the name implies, refers to a location that appears on the map but is not physically present in the real world. In accordance with the present invention, users can locate listings in conjunction with both real and virtual locations related to such listings, and, can connect to the entities associated with those listings once located.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于基于地图的目录服务的方法和系统。 用户在计算机屏幕上呈现地图，该地图具有指示诸如建筑物，街道，公园和水体之类的真实世界位置的符号。 地图和现实世界之间存在着密切的对应关系。 该地图还具有指示虚拟位置的符号。 顾名思义，一个虚拟位置是指在地图上出现但并不存在于现实世界中的位置。 根据本发明，用户可以结合与这样的列表相关的真实和虚拟位置来定位列表，并且可以连接到与定位的那些列表相关联的实体。

公开(公告)号：US5815295A

公开(公告)日：1998-09-29

申请号：US728253

申请日：1996-10-08

申请人： Thomas Edward Darcie ,  Nicholas J. Frigo ,  Peter D. Magill

发明人： Thomas Edward Darcie ,  Nicholas J. Frigo ,  Peter D. Magill

IPC分类号： H04B10/02 ,  H04B10/08 ,  H04B10/26 ,  H04J14/02

CPC分类号： H04B10/07 ,  H04B10/0773 ,  H04B10/2587 ,  H04J14/02

摘要： A communication system where a central module repetitively sends interrogation optical pulses to endpoint modules in order to determine operational state of the endpoint modules and of the two-way communication path to the central module. Those pulses also determine whether the endpoint module wishes to initiate communication with the central office. In the endpoint module, a modulator whose function is to send data from the customer's terminal is arranged to operate in two distinct modes. When it is "powered off", which is when the customer terminal is inactive, it allows central office signals to loop-back to the central office. In this state, the optical pulses sent by the central office serve the function of optical continuity checking. When an endpoint module wishes to establish a connection, i.e., the customer terminal wishes to "make a call", the modulator is arranged to interpose itself in the loop-back path and inform the central module of its desire, such as by temporarily turning off the path to the central. When the optical interrogation pulses fail to return to the central office, the central module knows that either the endpoint module is wishing to make a call, or a break exists in the communications path. The central module assumes that the endpoint module desires to make a call and responds by sending an acknowledgment. Thereafter, the endpoint module can proceed with communication.

摘要翻译： 一种通信系统，其中中央模块向端点模块反复发送询问光脉冲，以便确定端点模块和到中央模块的双向通信路径的操作状态。 这些脉冲还确定端点模块是否希望启动与中心局的通信。 在端点模块中，功能是从客户终端发送数据的调制器被布置成以两种不同的模式运行。 当“停电”，即当客户终端不活动时，它允许中心局信号回到中心局。 在这种状态下，由中心局发送的光脉冲起到光连续性检查的作用。 当端点模块希望建立一个连接，即客户终端希望“拨打电话”时，调制器被安排为将其自身插入到环回路径中，并通知中心模块的愿望，例如通过临时转动 离开中心路。 当光询问脉冲不能返回到中心局时，中央模块知道端点模块希望进行呼叫，或者在通信路径中存在中断。 中央模块假定端点模块希望进行呼叫并通过发送确认进行响应。 此后，端点模块可以进行通信。

公开(公告)号：US5559624A

公开(公告)日：1996-09-24

申请号：US333926

申请日：1994-11-03

申请人： Thomas E. Darcie ,  N. J. Frigo ,  Peter D. Magill

发明人： Thomas E. Darcie ,  N. J. Frigo ,  Peter D. Magill

IPC分类号： H04J14/00 ,  H04B10/02 ,  H04B10/08 ,  H04B10/20 ,  H04B10/26 ,  H04J14/02

CPC分类号： H04J14/02 ,  H04B10/071 ,  H04B10/0771 ,  H04B10/2587 ,  H04J14/0226 ,  H04J14/0227 ,  H04J14/0232 ,  H04J14/0246 ,  H04J14/025 ,  H04J14/0282 ,  H04J14/0298 ,  H04J2014/0253

摘要： A passive optical network architecture is disclosed for application in a local loop telephone environment. A local digital switch transmits an optical signal bearing information downstream over an optical fiber to the terminal equipment of a group of subscribers. This transmitted optical signal comprises light at a number of different wavelengths, i.e., it is a wavelength-division multiplexed signal, where each subscriber is associated with a particular wavelength of light. Each subscriber's terminal equipment detects that portion of the transmitted optical signal that exists at its assigned wavelength and thereby recovers the information sent by the local digital switch for that subscriber. However, a fraction of this detected optical signal is then remodulated by the subscriber's equipment with the subscriber's upstream information and returned to the local digital switch. As a result, no optical sources exist in the subscriber equipment in this optical network architecture.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种在本地环路电话环境中应用的无源光网络架构。 本地数字交换机将光纤信号下行的光信号通过光纤发送到一组用户的终端设备。 该发送的光信号包括多个不同波长的光，即它是波分复用信号，其中每个用户与特定波长的光相关联。 每个用户的终端设备检测出以其分配的波长存在的所发送的光信号的那部分，从而恢复本地数字交换机为该用户发送的信息。 然而，该检测到的光信号的一部分然后由用户的设备用用户的上行信息重新调制并返回到本地数字交换机。 结果，在该光网络架构中，用户设备中不存在光源。

公开(公告)号：US06807188B1

公开(公告)日：2004-10-19

申请号：US09356980

申请日：1999-07-19

申请人： Donal E. Blahut ,  Peter D. Magill

发明人： Donal E. Blahut ,  Peter D. Magill

IPC分类号： H04B7212

CPC分类号： H04N7/22 ,  H04J3/0682 ,  H04L7/06 ,  H04N7/17309 ,  H04N2007/17381

摘要： An out-of-band ranging technique is automatically initiated at a customer premises equipment unit when the equipment is installed, when power is restored after a power failure or interruption, upon verification of the equipment, upon reconnection after a disconnection of the equipment or the like. To this end, an out-of-band tone is employed that is automatically transmitted when the customer premises equipment that transmits the TDMA signal is powered ON, or transmitted in response to a specific command generated locally or remotely. Specifically, when ranging is being effected the customer premises equipment generates and transmits the out-of-band ranging tone until a message is received from a remote terminal indicating that the transmission of the ranging tone be terminated. The loop delay being determined is the delay interval between transmission of the termination message and detection that transmission of the ranging tone has terminated. Then, a message is transmitted to the customer premises equipment that contains the ranging delay interval that is to be used in all future transmissions to the remote terminal. In one embodiment of the invention, the customer premises equipment automatically switches to an idle standby state when the remote terminal removes its upstream transmission slot. In the standby state, the customer premises equipment is still capable of receiving data and is periodically polled by the remote terminal assigning it an upstream transmission slot. If a customer premises equipment in the standby state is not polled during a predetermined interval, it automatically switches to a verification state. Additionally, if the customer premises equipment does not respond when polled, the remote terminal transmits it a message putting it in the verification state. If a polled customer premises equipment responds with an out-of-band tone, which indicates that it is in the verification state, the remote terminal treats it as though it is verifying ranging. If the out-of-band tone is properly aligned, the customer premises equipment is switched to an active state.

公开(公告)号：US5790287A

公开(公告)日：1998-08-04

申请号：US740083

申请日：1996-10-24

申请人： Thomas Edward Darcie ,  Nicholas J. Frigo ,  Peter D. Magill

发明人： Thomas Edward Darcie ,  Nicholas J. Frigo ,  Peter D. Magill

IPC分类号： H04B10/02 ,  H04B10/08 ,  H04B10/26 ,  H04J14/02 ,  H04H1/00 ,  H04M3/00 ,  H04N7/10

CPC分类号： H04B10/07 ,  H04B10/0773 ,  H04B10/2587 ,  H04J14/02

摘要： A communication system where a central module repetitively sends interrogation optical pulses to endpoint modules in order to determine operational state of the endpoint modules and of the two-way communication path to the central module. Those pulses also determine whether the endpoint module wishes to initiate communication with the central office. In the endpoint module, a modulator whose function is to send data from the customer's terminal is arranged to operate in two distinct modes. When it is "powered off", which is when the customer terminal is inactive, it allows central office signals to loop-back to the central office. In this state, the optical pulses sent by the central office serve the function of optical continuity checking. When an endpoint module wishes to establish a connection, i.e., the customer terminal wishes to "make a call", the modulator is arranged to interpose itself in the loop-back path and inform the central module of its desire, such as by temporarily turning off the path to the central. When the optical interrogation pulses fail to return to the central office, the central module knows that either the endpoint module is wishing to make a call, or a break exists in the communications path. The central module assumes that the endpoint module desires to make a call and responds by sending an acknowledgment. Thereafter, the endpoint module can proceed with communication.