Telephonic communications – Subscriber line or transmission line interface – Network interface device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-08
2004-04-13
Tieu, Benny (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Subscriber line or transmission line interface
Network interface device
C370S463000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06721419
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to the field of electronic systems, and more particularly to a method and system for selecting a frequency for communication within a premises network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Premises networks may include systems that allow for communication between devices within a user site and devices outside of the user site. A conventional premises network may include a web of wires and/or cables coupled to various electronic devices within the user site. To facilitate external communication, a premises network may be coupled to an external network and, as such, may allow communication between the premises network and devices external to the user site.
One example of a premises network may include the collection of on-site telephone lines associated with a conventional multi-station telephone system. Another example may be the collection of on-site cables associated with a conventional cable television system.
Within the conventional multi-station telephone system, one or more telephone lines may be connected to two or more electronic devices. The system may have a termination point located at the user site that may allow for connection to a central office in a telephone network to provide the user site with one or more telephone lines.
On the user site side, site telephone lines may emanate from the termination point and connect to telephone outlets. In this manner, the telephone outlets may provide access to the telephone line or lines, which may be communicatively coupled to an outside telephone network. Individual telephones and key-sets as well as other electronic devices (e.g., facsimile machines, answering machines, modems, personal computers and peripherals, etc.) may be connected to the telephone outlets and, as such, may be connected to the telephone line or lines. In some systems, these electronic devices may communicate with each other over the premises network. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,111, entitled “Telephone Control Module and User Site Network and Methods of Operation”, issued to Gordon H. Matthews.
In systems that allow communication between premises network devices, problems may arise when communication paths experience carrier degradation or channel loss. Channel degradation and/or loss may occur for a number of reasons including null areas in the transmission path, connected electronic devices that cause broadband attenuation on the line, and high energy outside interference. Unfortunately, most conventional systems do not provide for multi-channel network communications within a premises network. Moreover, conventional techniques for providing such multi-channel communications may substantially interfere with standard telephone line communications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a method and system for selecting a frequency for communication within a premises network are disclosed that provide significant operational advantages.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for selecting a frequency for communication within a premises network is provided. The system may include a telephone line interface, a transceiver, and a logic/control unit coupled to both the telephone line interface and the transceiver. The telephone line interface may be operable to couple to a premises network. In some embodiments, the logic/control unit may be operable to select a first channel. The first channel may correspond to a first frequency over which communications may be sent from the transceiver to other devices within the premises network.
A system incorporating teachings of the present invention may be further operable to execute a testing function to determine a first signal strength of the first channel. The system may also be operable to execute a screening function to compare the first signal strength to a signal strength threshold value to determine whether the first channel is adequate or capable of supporting communication.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for selecting a frequency for communication within a premises network is provided. The system may include a command module and a telephone control module. The command module (CM) may include a telephone line interface which may be coupled to a premises network. The command module may also include a transmitter operable to transmit network communications to the telephone control module (TCM). The command module may further include a logic/control unit coupled to a telephone line interface and to a transmitter. The logic/control unit may be operable to select a first channel, which corresponds to a first frequency over which network communications may be sent from the transmitter to the telephone control module. The logic/control unit may be further operable to send the first channel selection to the telephone control module.
In some embodiments of the present invention, a telephone control module may include a telephone line interface, which may be coupled to the premises network. The telephone control module may also include an electronic device interface, which may be operable to couple with an electronic device. The telephone control module may also include a receiver operable to receive network communications from a transmitter associated with the CM. The telephone control module may further include a logic/control unit coupled to a telephone line interface associated with the TCM, an electronic device interface associated with the TCM, and a receiver associated with the TCM. The telephone control module may be operable to execute a testing function to determine a first signal strength of the first channel. The telephone control module may also be operable to execute a screening function to compare the first signal strength to a signal strength threshold value to determine whether the first channel is adequate.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for selecting a frequency for communication over a premises network is provided. The method includes selecting a first channel which corresponds to a first frequency for communication over a premises network. The method may also include determining a first signal strength of the first channel. The method may further include comparing the first signal strength to a first threshold value to determine the adequacy of the first channel.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for maintaining a desired signal strength during communication over a premises network is provided. The method may include selecting a first channel. The first channel may correspond to a first frequency for communication over a premises network. An initial signal strength of the first channel may be determined, and the initial signal strength may be compared to a first threshold value. In some embodiments, signal strength of the first channel may be determined periodically. If the signal strength of the first channel falls below a threshold value, the first channel may be replaced by a second channel.
It is a technical advantage of the present invention that frequencies may be selected for high-integrity network communications within a premises network which do not substantially interfere with standard telephone line communications. It is another technical advantage that several frequencies may be selected such that simultaneous communication at these frequencies does not create an undesirable level of interference.
It is another technical advantage that the signal strength, or integrity, at particular frequencies can be monitored during operation of the system. It is a further technical advantage that frequencies which become degraded can be replaced by high-integrity frequencies.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4513413 (1985-04-01), Gorman et al.
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patent: 4685099 (1987-08-01), White et al.
patent: 4807225 (1989-02-01), Fitch
p
Bareis Bernard F.
Gibbs Richard A.
Gosha Michael
Parker Gerry A.
Sharp Francis M.
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