US6081533A — Method and apparatus for an application interface…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 125 words

A subscriber terminal unit for transmitting signals upstream to a headend unit and receiving signals downstream from a headend controller through a cable network, comprising: an application interface module coupled to the subscriber terminal unit comprising an installation module used in installing the subscriber terminal unit, wherein the application interface module is capable of being coupled to and decoupled from the connector while the subscriber terminal unit is in operation without disrupting normal operations; a connector coupled to the subscriber terminal unit for electrically coupling the application interface module to circuitry within the subscriber terminal unit; memory coupled to the connector for storing instructions or data; a processor coupled to the memory for processing data received by the subscriber terminal unit from the headend controller.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 125 words

A subscriber terminal unit for transmitting signals upstream to a headend unit and receiving signals downstream from a headend controller through a cable network, comprising: an application interface module coupled to the subscriber terminal unit comprising an installation module used in installing the subscriber terminal unit, wherein the application interface module is capable of being coupled to and decoupled from the connector while the subscriber terminal unit is in operation without disrupting normal operations; a connector coupled to the subscriber terminal unit for electrically coupling the application interface module to circuitry within the subscriber terminal unit; memory coupled to the connector for storing instructions or data; a processor coupled to the memory for processing data received by the subscriber terminal unit from the headend controller.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 1, wherein the installation module includes a memory for storing channel information corresponding to a channel of a previously installed subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 1, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a telephony module having a digital signal processor for providing telephony functions to the subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 54 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 3, wherein when the telephony module is inserted into the subscriber terminal unit, the subscriber terminal unit transmits ATM cells containing management information for establishing a virtual circuit so that voice data is routed through an ATM switch in an ATM packet format according to the virtual circuit.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 1, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a field diagnostic module used to conduct diagnostics on the subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 5, wherein the field diagnostic module includes a serial interface for coupling an external instrument used to test the subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 5, wherein the field diagnostic module includes a display for displaying a test result.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 6, wherein the external instrument downloads testing software into the memory of the subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 45 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 1, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a home network module used for interfacing the subscriber terminal unit with one or more consumer network interfaces, wherein one of the consumer network interfaces includes an IEEE 1394 interface.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 51 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 9, wherein data in the IEEE 1394 format input through the home network module is converted to packets which are sent to the headend controller and packets from the headend controller are converted into the IEEE 1394 format for output by the home network module.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 9, wherein one of the consumer network interfaces includes an universal serial bus interface.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 53 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 11, wherein data in the universal serial bus format input through a network interface module is converted to packets which are sent to the headend controller and packets from the headend controller are converted into the universal serial bus format for output by the home network module.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 66 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 9, wherein the home network module includes at least a first port for inputting and outputting either IEEE 1394 or universal serial bus data to/from a first device and a second port for inputting and outputting either IEEE 1394 or universal serial bus data to/from a second device and wherein the first device is in communications with the second device.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 9, wherein one of the consumer network interfaces includes an asynchronous transfer mode interface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 32 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 1, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a television module for accepting video data from the headend controller and generating an RF television signal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

The subscriber terminal unit of claim 13, wherein a television module includes an infrared remote controller circuit for accepting user commands which are transmitted to the headend controller in packets.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 113 words

A method for enhancing the functionality of a subscriber terminal unit for use in a cable network having a headend controller, comprising the steps of: coupling the subscriber terminal unit to the cable network; exchanging communications between the headend controller and the subscriber terminal unit; determining whether an application interface module is in communications with the subscriber terminal unit; identifying which function is provided by the application interface module; transmitting management information from the subscriber terminal unit upstream to a headend unit specific to the application interface module in communications with the subscriber terminal unit; providing applications services for the subscriber terminal unit by the headend unit in response to the management information.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 113 words

A method for enhancing the functionality of a subscriber terminal unit for use in a cable network having a headend controller, comprising the steps of: coupling the subscriber terminal unit to the cable network; exchanging communications between the headend controller and the subscriber terminal unit; determining whether an application interface module is in communications with the subscriber terminal unit; identifying which function is provided by the application interface module; transmitting management information from the subscriber terminal unit upstream to a headend unit specific to the application interface module in communications with the subscriber terminal unit; providing applications services for the subscriber terminal unit by the headend unit in response to the management information.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 17, wherein installation of a first subscriber terminal unit includes the steps of: coupling an installation module as a device to the subscriber terminal unit; determining an available channel on the cable network for transmissions by the first subscriber terminal unit; storing channel information corresponding to the available channel within a memory of the installation module.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 88 words

The method of claim 18, wherein installation of a second subscriber terminal unit includes the steps of: coupling the installation module to the second subscriber terminal unit; reading the channel information stored in the memory of the installation module; determining whether the channel according to the channel information is available, wherein if the frequency is available, the subscriber terminal unit is assigned that particular frequency and if the frequency is not available, the subscriber terminal unit performs a seek algorithm to find a different channel that is available.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of storing a frequency of the different channel within the memory of the installation module.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of hot plugging the device into the subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of the headend unit providing telephony functions to the subscriber terminal unit according to a telephone module which is inserted in the subscriber terminal unit as the device.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of establishing a virtual circuit in response to a management signal so that voice data is routed through an ATM switch in an ATM packet format according to the virtual circuit.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of performing diagnostics on the subscriber terminal unit according to a field diagnostic module that was inserted as the device into the subscriber terminal unit by a service technician.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of transmitting commands to the field diagnostic module by a computer system through a serial interface for testing the subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of displaying a test result that was performed on a display of the field diagnostic module.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of coupling a home network module to the subscriber terminal unit for handling consumer network data.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 27, wherein the consumer network data has an IEEE 1394 format.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of: converting the IEEE 1394 format data input through the home network module to packets; sending the packets to the headend controller; converting packets sent by the headend controller and received by the home network module into the IEEE 1394 format for output by the home network module.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 29, wherein the packets are carried in ATM cells.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of providing an universal serial bus interface through the home network module.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method of claim 31 further comprising the steps of: converting a universal serial bus format data input through the home network module to packets; sending the packets to the headend controller; converting packets sent by the headend controller and received by the home network module to the universal serial bus format for output by the home network module.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 32, wherein the packets are carried in ATM cells.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of providing an asynchronous transfer mode interface through the application interface module.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: accepting video data from the headend controller; converting the video data by a television module inserted in the subscriber terminal unit as the device; outputting an RF television signal by the television module.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 35 further comprising the steps of: accepting user commands through an infrared remote controller circuit in the television module; transmitting management information upstream in response to the user commands; servicing the user commands by a headend unit.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of downloading software through the cable network to the subscriber terminal unit for supporting the device.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of downloading software through the cable network to the device for supporting a function offered by the device.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of coupling an ADSL interface module to the subscriber terminal unit.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of coupling an ADSL interface module to the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 43

Independent Claim 97 words

A method for installing a subscriber terminal unit for use in a cable network having a headend controller, comprising the steps of: coupling the subscriber terminal unit to the cable network; exchanging communications between the headend controller and the subscriber terminal unit; determining whether an installation module is in communications with the subscriber terminal unit, wherein if the installation module is in communications with the subscriber terminal unit; reading channel information stored on the installation module; determining whether a channel according to the channel information is available; transmitting information on the channel if the channel is available.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 97 words

A method for installing a subscriber terminal unit for use in a cable network having a headend controller, comprising the steps of: coupling the subscriber terminal unit to the cable network; exchanging communications between the headend controller and the subscriber terminal unit; determining whether an installation module is in communications with the subscriber terminal unit, wherein if the installation module is in communications with the subscriber terminal unit; reading channel information stored on the installation module; determining whether a channel according to the channel information is available; transmitting information on the channel if the channel is available.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 41, wherein if the channel is not available: determining an available channel; storing the available channel information on the installation module for use in a subsequent subscriber terminal unit installation.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 99 words

An application interface module for adding functionality to a subscriber terminal unit, comprising: a connector for coupling the application interface module to the subscriber terminal unit; a bus coupled to the connector; memory coupled to the bus for storing instructions or data, wherein the memory contains identification information for identifying a particular function of the application interface module; a processor coupled to the bus for transmitting management information from the application interface module to the subscriber terminal unit, wherein the subscriber terminal unit transmits a request for applications services from a headend controller in response to the management information.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 99 words

An application interface module for adding functionality to a subscriber terminal unit, comprising: a connector for coupling the application interface module to the subscriber terminal unit; a bus coupled to the connector; memory coupled to the bus for storing instructions or data, wherein the memory contains identification information for identifying a particular function of the application interface module; a processor coupled to the bus for transmitting management information from the application interface module to the subscriber terminal unit, wherein the subscriber terminal unit transmits a request for applications services from a headend controller in response to the management information.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 11 words

The application interface module of claim 43 providing an installation function.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 12 words

The application interface module of claim 43 providing a home network function.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 11 words

The application interface module of claim 43 providing a telephony function.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 11 words

The application interface module of claim 43 providing a diagnostic function.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 11 words

The application interface module of claim 43 providing an ADSL function.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 101 words

An Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) terminal unit for transmitting signals over a twisted pair local loop to an ADSL termination system and receiving signals from the ADSL termination system through a telephone twisted pair network, comprising: an application interface module coupled to the ADSL terminal unit; a connector coupled to the ADSL terminal unit for electrically coupling the application interface module to circuitry within the ADSL terminal unit; memory coupled to the connector for storing instructions or data; a processor coupled to the memory for processing data received by the ADSL terminal unit from a subscriber management system and server.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 101 words

An Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) terminal unit for transmitting signals over a twisted pair local loop to an ADSL termination system and receiving signals from the ADSL termination system through a telephone twisted pair network, comprising: an application interface module coupled to the ADSL terminal unit; a connector coupled to the ADSL terminal unit for electrically coupling the application interface module to circuitry within the ADSL terminal unit; memory coupled to the connector for storing instructions or data; a processor coupled to the memory for processing data received by the ADSL terminal unit from a subscriber management system and server.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 35 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 49, wherein the application interface module is capable of being coupled to and decoupled from the connector while the ADSL terminal unit is in operation without disrupting normal operations.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 32 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 49, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a telephony module having a digital signal processor for providing telephony functions to the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 54 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 51, wherein when the telephony module is inserted into the ADSL terminal unit, the ADSL terminal unit transmits ATM cells containing management information for establishing a virtual circuit so that voice data is routed through an ATM switch in an ATM packet format according to the virtual circuit.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 28 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 49, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a field diagnostic module used to conduct diagnostics on the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 28 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 53, wherein the field diagnostic module includes a serial interface for coupling an external instrument used to test the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 20 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 53, wherein the field diagnostic module includes a display for displaying a test result.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 22 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 54, wherein the external instrument downloads testing software into the memory of the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 33 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 49, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a home network module used for interfacing the ADSL terminal unit with one or more consumer network interfaces.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 19 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 57, wherein one of the consumer network interfaces includes an IEEE 1394 interface.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 51 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 58, wherein data in an IEEE 1394 format input through a home network module is converted to packets which are sent to a headend controller and packets from the headend controller are converted into the IEEE 1394 format for output by the home network module.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 20 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 57, wherein one of the consumer network interfaces includes an universal serial bus interface.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 53 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 60, wherein data in a universal serial bus format input through a network interface module is converted to packets which are sent to a headend controller and packets from the headend controller are converted into the universal serial bus format for output by the home network module.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 66 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 57, wherein the home network module includes at least a first port for inputting and outputting either IEEE 1394 or universal serial bus data to/from a first device and a second port for inputting and outputting either IEEE 1394 or universal serial bus data to/from a second device and wherein the first device is in communications with the second device.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 20 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 57, wherein one of the consumer network interfaces includes an asynchronous transfer mode interface.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 32 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 49, wherein the application interface module is comprised of a television module for accepting video data from a headend controller and generating an RF television signal.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 30 words

The ADSL terminal unit of claim 64, wherein the television module includes an infrared remote controller circuit for accepting user commands which are transmitted to the headend controller in packets.

Claim 71

Independent Claim 129 words

A method for enhancing the functionality of an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) terminal unit for use in a twisted pair telephone network having an ADSL termination system, comprising the steps of: coupling the ADSL terminal unit to the twisted pair telephone network; exchanging communications between the twisted pair telephone network and the ADSL terminal unit; determining whether an application interface module is in communications with the ADSL terminal unit; identifying which function is provided by the application interface module; transmitting management information from the ADSL terminal unit to a subscriber management system and server specific to the application interface module in communications with the ADSL terminal unit; providing applications services for the ADSL terminal unit by the subscriber management system and server in response to the management information.

Claim 72

Independent Claim 129 words

A method for enhancing the functionality of an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) terminal unit for use in a twisted pair telephone network having an ADSL termination system, comprising the steps of: coupling the ADSL terminal unit to the twisted pair telephone network; exchanging communications between the twisted pair telephone network and the ADSL terminal unit; determining whether an application interface module is in communications with the ADSL terminal unit; identifying which function is provided by the application interface module; transmitting management information from the ADSL terminal unit to a subscriber management system and server specific to the application interface module in communications with the ADSL terminal unit; providing applications services for the ADSL terminal unit by the subscriber management system and server in response to the management information.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of hot plugging a device into the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of the subscriber management system and server providing telephony functions to the ADSL terminal unit according to a telephone module which is inserted in the ADSL terminal unit as a device.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 68 further comprising the step of establishing a virtual circuit in response to a management signal so that voice data is routed through an ATM switch in an ATM packet format according to the virtual circuit.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of performing diagnostics on the ADSL terminal unit according to a field diagnostic module that was inserted as a device into the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 70 further comprising the step of transmitting commands to the field diagnostic module by a computer system through a serial interface for testing the ADSL terminal unit.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 70 further comprising the step of displaying a test result that was performed on a display of the field diagnostic module.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of coupling a home network module to the ADSL terminal unit for handling consumer network data.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 73, wherein the consumer network data has an IEEE 1394 format.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method of claim 74 further comprising the steps of: converting the IEEE 1394 format data input through the home network module to packets; sending the packets to a headend controller; converting packets sent by the headend controller and received by the home network module into the IEEE 1394 format for output by the home network module.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 75, wherein the packets are carried in ATM cells.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 73 further comprising the step of providing an universal serial bus interface through the home network module.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method of claim 77 further comprising the steps of: converting a universal serial bus format data input through the home network module to packets; sending the packets to a headend controller; converting packets sent by the headend controller and received by the home network module to the universal serial bus format for output by the home network module.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 78, wherein the packets are carried in ATM cells.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of providing an asynchronous transfer mode interface through the interface module.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method of claim 66 further comprising the steps of: accepting video data from the subscriber management system and server; converting the video data by a television module inserted in the ADSL terminal unit as the application interface module; outputting an RF television signal by the television module.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 81 further comprising the steps of: accepting a plurality of user commands through an infrared remote controller circuit in the television module; transmitting management information to the subscriber management system and server in response to the plurality of user commands; servicing the user commands by the subscriber management system and server.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 68 further comprising the step of downloading software through a telephone to the ADSL terminal unit for supporting a device.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of downloading software through a cable network to the device for supporting a function offered by a device.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 103 words

An application interface module for adding functionality to an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) terminal unit, comprising: a connector for coupling the application interface module to the ADSL terminal unit; a bus coupled to the connector; memory coupled to the bus for storing instructions or data, wherein the memory contains identification information for identifying a particular function of the application interface module; a processor coupled to the bus for transmitting management information from the application interface module to the ADSL terminal unit, wherein the ADSL terminal unit transmits a request for applications services from a headend controller in response to the management information.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 103 words

An application interface module for adding functionality to an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) terminal unit, comprising: a connector for coupling the application interface module to the ADSL terminal unit; a bus coupled to the connector; memory coupled to the bus for storing instructions or data, wherein the memory contains identification information for identifying a particular function of the application interface module; a processor coupled to the bus for transmitting management information from the application interface module to the ADSL terminal unit, wherein the ADSL terminal unit transmits a request for applications services from a headend controller in response to the management information.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 12 words

The application interface module of claim 85 providing a home network function.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 11 words

The application interface module of claim 85 providing a telephony function.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 11 words

The application interface module of claim 85 providing a diagnostic function.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 11 words

The application interface module of claim 85 providing an ADSL function.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-06-27	2003-12-27	2004-06-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-06-27	2007-12-27	2008-06-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-06-27	2011-12-27	2012-06-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for an application interface module in a subscriber terminal unit

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