US6091722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Subscriber loop bypass modem
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-18
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2017-03-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention allows telephone subscriber loops carrying data traffic between computer systems to be switched to an alternative connection through a data network, thereby unloading data traffic from the telephone network. The invention operates by means of a break switch, which selectively switches a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a data network. The break switch is coupled to a concentrator which takes a plurality of inputs from the break switch and connects them to a smaller number of modems in a modem pool. The concentrator allows a subscriber line to connect to different types of modems within the modem pool, depending upon requirements of a particular subscriber line user. The modem pool connects through a network interface to a packet-switched network, such as the Internet. A number of different methods can be used to transmit a command to switch a subscriber loop from the central office switching system to the packet-switched network. A loop current detector, which is coupled between the plurality of subscriber loops and the break switch, can monitor on/off hook status of the subscriber loop in order to determine whether to switch the connection to the data network. Alternatively, the command to perform the switching can originate from a remote host which transmits the command through the data network to the break switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven P. Russell
- 👤 James E. Dunn
- 👤 Donald M. Bellenger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for switching between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a switch; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; and a plurality of subscriber loops coupled to the switch, and at least one of the plurality of subscriber loops carrying one or more data calls, wherein the switch selectively couples each of the one or more data calls to one of the central office switching system and a corresponding one of the plurality of modems.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for switching between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a switch; a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; and a plurality of subscriber loops coupled to the switch, and at least one of the plurality of subscriber loops carrying one or more data calls, wherein the switch selectively couples each of the one or more data calls to one of the central office switching system and a corresponding one of the plurality of modems.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the packet-switched network comprises the Internet.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a second switch coupled between the first switch and the plurality of modems, comprising: a plurality of first switch interfaces coupled to the first switch; a plurality of modem interfaces coupled to the plurality of modems; and a switching channel for selectively coupling first switch interfaces in the plurality of first switch interfaces to modem interfaces in the plurality of modem interfaces.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a second switch coupled between the first switch and the plurality of modems, comprising: a plurality of first switch interfaces coupled to the first switch; a plurality of modem interfaces coupled to the plurality of modems; and a switching channel for selectively coupling first switch interfaces in the plurality of first switch interfaces to modem interfaces in the plurality of modem interfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switching channel includes a heterodyne frequency division multiplexer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switching channel includes a cross point switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switching channel includes a time division multiplexer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switching channel includes a frequency division multiplexer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for of claim 2, wherein there are more first switch interfaces in the plurality of first switch interfaces than modem interfaces in the plurality of modem interfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of modems include a voice band and a broad band modem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of modems includes a modem following the v.34 standard with a symbol rate in excess of the symbol rate specified by the v.34 standard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein modems in the plurality of modems include processors running modem software.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein modems in the plurality of modems include analog to digital and digital to analog converters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein modems in the plurality of modems include analog to digital and digital to analog converters operating at a sampling rate of greater than 64 K bits per second.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further including a plurality of additional network interfaces coupled between the plurality of modems and the packet-switched network for facilitating communication between modems in the plurality of modems, and the packet-switched network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further including circuitry to generate talk battery and ringing signals on subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops coupled to the first switch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further including circuitry to produce a busy signal in response to on an incoming call from the central office switching system when a corresponding subscriber loop is switched to the packet-switched network.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; a plurality of subscriber loop interfaces coupled to the first switch; a plurality of analog processors; a plurality of digital processors; a first switching mechanism coupled to the plurality of subscriber loop interfaces and the plurality of analog processors for switching the plurality of subscriber loop interfaces between the plurality of analog processors; a second switching mechanism coupled to the plurality of analog processors and the plurality of digital processors for switching the plurality of analog processors between the plurality of digital processors; and a packet-switched network interface coupled to the plurality of digital processors and the packet-switched network for facilitating communication between the plurality of digital processors and the packet-switched network.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
185 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; a plurality of subscriber loop interfaces coupled to the first switch; a plurality of analog processors; a plurality of digital processors; a first switching mechanism coupled to the plurality of subscriber loop interfaces and the plurality of analog processors for switching the plurality of subscriber loop interfaces between the plurality of analog processors; a second switching mechanism coupled to the plurality of analog processors and the plurality of digital processors for switching the plurality of analog processors between the plurality of digital processors; and a packet-switched network interface coupled to the plurality of digital processors and the packet-switched network for facilitating communication between the plurality of digital processors and the packet-switched network.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a plurality of monitors coupled between the plurality of subscriber loops and the first switch, and the plurality of monitors generating a control signal responsive to the status of at least one subscriber loop in the plurality of subscriber loops, and wherein the first switch decouples the at least one subscriber loop from the central office switching system and couples the at least one subscriber loop to the corresponding one of the plurality of modems.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a plurality of monitors coupled between the plurality of subscriber loops and the first switch, and the plurality of monitors generating a control signal responsive to the status of at least one subscriber loop in the plurality of subscriber loops, and wherein the first switch decouples the at least one subscriber loop from the central office switching system and couples the at least one subscriber loop to the corresponding one of the plurality of modems.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the control signal is generated responsive to the on/off hook status and ringing on respective subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: the control signal is generated responsive to zero current conditions on respective subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein monitors include circuitry for filtering signals from subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the control signal is generated responsive to a dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals on respective subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the control signal is generated responsive to a pulse dialing signals on respective subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further including circuitry coupled to the plurality of monitors and the network interface for broadcasting subscriber loop status information from subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops onto the packet-switched network.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a plurality of analog front ends coupled between the first switch and the plurality of modems.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a plurality of analog front ends coupled between the first switch and the plurality of modems.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include circuitry for battery feed, overvoltage, ringing injection, supervision, codec, hybrid and testing functions for subscriber loops.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include 2 to 4 wire converters.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include analog to digital and digital to analog converters.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include analog to digital and digital to analog converters operating at a sampling rate of greater than 64 Kbits per second.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include circuitry for filtering signals from subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include circuitry to detect on/off hook direct current status of the subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include circuitry to implement a dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) receiver.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein analog front ends in the plurality of analog front ends include circuitry to implement a pulse dialing detector.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a controller coupled to the first switch for controlling the first switch.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and a controller coupled to the first switch for controlling the first switch.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller is additionally coupled to the second switch and additionally controls the second switch.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure relating subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops to at least one data network address.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which stores a time since an on-hook condition was detected.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which stores a time since an off-hook condition was detected.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which stores a time since a ringing condition was detected.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which stores dialed number sequences.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which relates subscriber loops to dialed number sequences.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which relates subscriber loops to modems in the plurality of modems.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which relates dialed number sequences to network addresses.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which records cumulative activity per subscriber loop.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure which records overall switch activity across subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure relating subscriber loops in the plurality of subscriber loops to at least one telephone number.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the controller includes a memory containing a data structure including allowable modem configurations for modems in the plurality of modems.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and circuitry to detect an incoming call to a subscriber loop from the central office switching system while the subscriber loop is switched to the packet-switched network.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, comprising: a network interface coupled to the packet-switched network; a plurality of modems coupled to the network interface; a first switch coupled to the plurality of subscriber loops, the central office switching system, and the plurality of modems, for switching the subscriber loops between the central office switching system and the plurality of modems; and circuitry to detect an incoming call to a subscriber loop from the central office switching system while the subscriber loop is switched to the packet-switched network.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further including circuitry to report the incoming call to the subscriber loop.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further including a mechanism to switch the subscriber loop back to the central office switching system upon receiving an incoming call from the central office switching system.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further including a mechanism to switch the subscriber loop during a period of substantially zero current on the subscriber loop.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, and the apparatus comprising: a switch with a plurality of subscriber ports, a plurality of central office ports, and a plurality of network ports, and the plurality of subscriber ports for coupling to the plurality of subscriber loops, and the plurality of central office ports for coupling to the central office switching system, and the plurality of network ports for communicating with the packet-switched network, and the switch responsive to each of a plurality of control signals to couple a corresponding one of the plurality of subscriber ports exclusively to one of a corresponding one of the plurality of central office ports and a corresponding one of the plurality of network ports.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of subscriber loops between a central office switching system and a packet-switched network, and the apparatus comprising: a switch with a plurality of subscriber ports, a plurality of central office ports, and a plurality of network ports, and the plurality of subscriber ports for coupling to the plurality of subscriber loops, and the plurality of central office ports for coupling to the central office switching system, and the plurality of network ports for communicating with the packet-switched network, and the switch responsive to each of a plurality of control signals to couple a corresponding one of the plurality of subscriber ports exclusively to one of a corresponding one of the plurality of central office ports and a corresponding one of the plurality of network ports.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including a controller coupled to the switch, which causes the switch to establish a connection between a subscriber loop in the plurality of subscriber loops and a network service provider through the packet-switched network after a connection is first established between the subscriber loop and the network service provider through the central office switching system.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the packet-switched network comprises the Internet.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 52, further including a plurality of voice band modems coupled to in the plurality of network ports and to the packet-switched network, for facilitating communication between the plurality of network ports and the packet-switched network.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 52, further including a plurality of broad band modems coupled to in the plurality of network ports and to the packet-switched network, for facilitating communication between the plurality of network ports and the packet-switched network.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a signal received through the subscriber loop.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a signal encoded in an on/off hook direct current status of the subscriber loop.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a DTMF signal received through the subscriber loop.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a pulse dialing signal received through the subscriber loop.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a signal received through the central office switching system.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a signal received through the packet-switched network.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a signal received from a network service provider.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a signal received through from a network service provider through the packet-switched network.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including circuitry to activate a control signal in the plurality of control signals in response to a signal received through from a network service provider through the central office switching system.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 52, including a mechanism to switch a subscriber loop in the plurality of subscriber loops during a period of substantially zero current on the subscriber loop.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for switching between a central office means for circuit switching and a network means for packet-switching, comprising: a means for switching; a means for interfacing to a network coupled to the network means; a plurality of modem means for communicating information coupled to the means for interfacing to a network; and a plurality of subscriber loop means for carrying information coupled to the means for switching, and at least one of the plurality of subscriber loop means carrying one or more means for channeling data, wherein the means for switching selectively couples each of the one or more means for channeling data to one of the central office means and a corresponding one of the plurality of modem means.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for switching between a central office means for circuit switching and a network means for packet-switching, comprising: a means for switching; a means for interfacing to a network coupled to the network means; a plurality of modem means for communicating information coupled to the means for interfacing to a network; and a plurality of subscriber loop means for carrying information coupled to the means for switching, and at least one of the plurality of subscriber loop means carrying one or more means for channeling data, wherein the means for switching selectively couples each of the one or more means for channeling data to one of the central office means and a corresponding one of the plurality of modem means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |