Telephonic communications – Having light wave or ultrasonic link for speech or paging... – Including fiber optic link within telephone network
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-06-12
Legree, Tracy (Department: 2744)
Telephonic communications
Having light wave or ultrasonic link for speech or paging...
Including fiber optic link within telephone network
C455S552100, C455S426100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246750
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications systems and more particularly to a fiber optic based subscriber terminal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the Information Age moves forward and businesses and individuals increasingly demand and depend on the immediate availability of current information, the reliability of telecommunications systems to deliver this information becomes critical. Homes and businesses use telecommunications systems to exchange such information as video, audio, data, telephony, and computer/control information. Reliability of telecommunications systems becomes of paramount importance as society relies more and more on telecommunications systems.
Telecommunications systems using fiber optic cable or copper based high speed digital drop techniques to transmit telecommunications signals are becoming increasingly prevalent due to the enormous advantages that fiber-optic technology provides over conventional analog copper-wire based systems. Some of these advantages include larger bandwidths and improved signal quality. A larger bandwidth allows for the transmission of larger amounts of information over a shorter period of time. These and other advantages have made fiber-optic cables the preferred technology for exchanging information in telecommunications systems.
Fiber optic technology does suffer at least one disadvantage as compared to telecommunications systems using conventional copper-wire or wire based local loop distribution systems. In the event of an electrical power outage at the home or business, a fiber-optic based local loop distribution system suffers a complete loss of telephony communications unlike a copper-wire based local loop distribution system that receives power directly from the central office and is able to provide telephony communications despite a power outage at the home or business. Even though the power outage prevents the operation of televisions, video monitors, and computers, the telephone continues to operate normally in a copper-wire based system. The telephony communications continue normally due to the local phone company providing power to the system through the copper-wire phone line, independent of the local power company. Thus, even though video and data communications may cease due to the power outage, telephony or telephone communications may continue. This is not true in a fiber optic based system. Power cannot be supplied through a fiber-optic based local loop distribution system in the same manner. Thus, a power outage ceases telephony communications in a fiber-optic based local loop distribution system.
Telephony communications are especially critical during emergencies, especially police, fire, or medical emergencies demanding immediate attention. Unfortunately, the events surrounding emergencies often cause power outages, such as fires and earthquakes. Thus, fiber optic based local loop distribution systems suffer a significant disadvantage as compared to copper-wire based local loop systems. Therefore, it is desirable to overcome the power supply problems of a fiber optic based system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
From the foregoing it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for a fiber optic based subscriber system that may provide telephony communications during an electrical system power outage or during the loss of the fiber optic connection to the subscriber system. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fiber optic based subscriber terminal and method that substantially eliminate and reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with conventional subscriber terminals coupled to a telecommunications network through a fiber optic connection.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber terminal is provided that includes an external network interface module exchanging information, such as video, telephony, and data, with a telecommunications network over a fiber optic connection. A telephony interface module exchanges telephony signals with the external network interface module and determines if a communication failure occurs through the fiber optic connection. A handset communicates telephony signals with the telephony interface module in a cordless mode during normal operation. In the event of a communication failure through the fiber optic connection, the handset is switched to a wireless mode for communicating with the telecommunications network, bypassing the telephony interface module and the external network interface module.
The present invention provides various technical advantages over -conventional subscriber terminals using fiber optic based local loop distribution systems. One technical advantage includes the ability to withstand power outages and other communication interruptions without the loss of telephony communications. Another technical advantage includes the elimination of expensive power supply equipment, and associated operational costs, used to provide power to conventional copper-wire based local loop distribution systems. The present invention also provides a technical advantage over conventional wire or copper-wire based local loop distribution systems. For example, the ability to provide telephony communications in the event: of the complete failure or loss of a local loop distribution system provides a technical advantage over conventional wire based local loop distribution systems. The present invention also provides the technical advantage of allowing emergency or 911 calls to be made in the event of a power outage or other loss of a local loop distribution system. Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.
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Legree Tracy
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