Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-20
2001-02-13
De Cady, Albert (Department: 2784)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
C709S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189037
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of communications, and more specifically to a broadband interface for digital client devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer systems perform a variety of functions including data acquisition, data processing and display of graphical images. The ability to integrate different external sources under control of a computer system generates a variety of applications for computer systems. For example, computer systems find applications in video teleconferencing, wherein the computer system transmits and receives audio/video information. In order to effectively implement such applications, computer systems require the ability to transmit and receive large amounts of data. In order to transmit and receive the large amounts of data, high bandwidth communication systems, such as broadband systems, are required.
Broadband systems, such as satellite networks, cable television, and telephone systems, provide high bandwidth for data transmission. Each broadband system contains a unique modulation scheme. For example, a cable television system may utilize a form of frequency modulation to encode audio/video data, while a satellite system may utilize a form of phase shift keying to encode data. Because of this, the development of a standard interface for computer systems to broadband systems is difficult.
In addition to the unique encoding schemes utilized by different broadband systems, the owner and operator of each broadband system requires control access to and from the broadband system. For example, the owner of a cable television system requires that a client receive only the channels for which that particular client is authorized to receive. A completely standardized broadband interface would permit a client to receive all information transmitted over the broadband system. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an interface to a broadband system that permits the owner of the broadband system to control access to and from the broadband system.
Computer networking standards exist for interfacing multiple computer systems. Such standards provide a means for a computer system owner to simply interface to a number of devices that comply with the particular standard. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a standard interface that permits computer systems to interface to broadband systems.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an interface to a broadband system that permits the owner of the broadband system to control access to and from the broadband system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a standard interface from a digital client system to a broadband system.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interface to a broadband system that permits the broadband system owner to change the encoding and access control to the broadband system without affecting the interface equipment owned and controlled by the digital client system.
These and other objects of the present invention are realized in a broadband data interface and a broadband digital interface that interfaces broadband systems to digital client systems. The broadband digital interface is coupled to the digital client systems to transfer digital data to and from the digital client systems. The broadband digital interface is owned and controlled by the digital client systems. The broadband data interface interfaces broadband systems to the broadband digital interface. The broadband data interface is customized for the particular broadband system such that the broadband data interface is owned and controlled by the operator of the broadband system.
In order to transfer data to the broadband digital interface from the broadband system, the broadband data interface contains a broadband receiver that receives data from the broadband system, and demodulates the data in accordance with the particular coding of the broadband system. The broadband receiver also formats data to transmit over the broadband digital interface. The broadband data interface further includes network access control to permit the broadband system operator to implement access control for data transmitted from the broadband system to the clients.
The broadband data interface further includes a broadband transmitter and broadband access control to transfer data from the broadband digital interface to the broadband system. The broadband access control provides access control by the operator of the broadband system for data transferred from the broadband digital interface to the broadband system. The broadband transmitter modulates data in accordance with the particular broadband system encoding scheme, and transmits the modulated data on the broadband system.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, and from the detailed description that follows below.
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Adams Robert
Richardson John W.
Williams David
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Cady Albert De
Intel Corporation
Ton David
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