Patent FR2147451A5 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6404773B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6404773B1
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US
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Carrying speech-band signals over a power line communications system
Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
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Filing: 1998-07-13
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Granted: 2002-06-11
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Expires: 2018-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Speech-band signals such as voice telephony and facsimile are trasnmitted over a power line communications system. The method comprises: receiving speech-band signals at the communications station from speech-band communications equipment; digitising the speech-band signals; encoding the digitised signals into data packets; and transmitting the data packets to/from a station over a part of the line which is external to the premises, using a packet data communications protocol. Equipment can selectively route the speech-band signals via the power line or the PSTN.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Leslie Williams
- 👤 Robin Paul Rickard
- 👤 Martin Brent Daniells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B3/00; H04B3/54; H04B3/542; H04B2203/00; H04B2203/54; H04B2203/5429; H04B2203/545; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of transmitting speech-band signals over a power line communications system comprising a power line for distributing electricity to a plurality of premises and a communication station coupled to the power line, the method comprising: receiving speech-band signals at the communications station from speech-bank communications equipment; encoding the digitised signals into data packets; transmitting the data packets to/from the station over a part of the line which is external to the premises, using a packet data communications protocol, wherein the data packets have a length of 2-5 ms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of transmitting speech-band signals over a power line communications system comprising a power line for distributing electricity to a plurality of premises and a communication station coupled to the power line, the method comprising: receiving speech-band signals at the communications station from speech-bank communications equipment; encoding the digitised signals into data packets; transmitting the data packets to/from the station over a part of the line which is external to the premises, using a packet data communications protocol, wherein the data packets have a length of 2-5 ms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the speech-band signals are voice telephony signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the speech-band signals are facsimile signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the speech-band signals comprise speech and signalling, the method further comprising converting the signalling between an analogue form used by the communications equipment and digital messages which can be conveyed over the power line data packets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 4 further comprising generating analogue signalling for the communications equipment connected to the station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the analogue signalling comprises one or more of: dial tone, a ringing indication.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the data packets are carried over the power line in the frequency band greater than 1 MHz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the power line is unconditioned at the premises.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the data packet communications protocol is polling.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the speech-band signals are also encoded into internet protocol (IP).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving the data packets at a base station which is coupled to the power line, and transmitting the data packets over a backhaul network to another communications subscriber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the other communications subscriber is another power line subscriber who is served by a different base station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the other communications subscriber is a PSTN subscriber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the other communications subscriber is on an internet-protocol (IP) based network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting the data packets over a backhaul network to another communications subscriber includes determining the location of the other subscriber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
A communications apparatus for transmitting speech-band signals over a power line communications system comprising a power line for distributing electricity to a plurality of premises and a communication station coupled to the power line, the apparatus comprising: an interface for receiving speech-band signals from speech-band communications equipment; means for digitising the speech-band signals; means for encoding the digitised signals into data packets; means for transmitting the data packets to/from the station over a part of the line which is external to the premises, using a packet data communications protocol, wherein the data packets have a length of 2-5 ms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A communications apparatus for transmitting speech-band signals over a power line communications system comprising a power line for distributing electricity to a plurality of premises and a communication station coupled to the power line, the apparatus comprising: an interface for receiving speech-band signals from speech-band communications equipment; means for digitising the speech-band signals; means for encoding the digitised signals into data packets; means for transmitting the data packets to/from the station over a part of the line which is external to the premises, using a packet data communications protocol, wherein the data packets have a length of 2-5 ms.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of establishing a speech-bank call over a power line communications system comprising a power line for distributing electricity to a plurality of premises and a communication station coupled to the power line, the method comprising: receiving speech-band signals at the communications station from speech-band communications equipment, the speech-band signals comprising speech and signalling; converting the signalling between an analogue form used by the communications equipment and digital messages which can be conveyed over the power line data packets; encoding the digital messages into data packets; transmitting the data packets to/from the station over a part of the line which is external to the premises, using a packet data communications protocol, wherein the data packets have a length of 2-5 ms. receiving the packets at a base station which is coupled to the power line; determining destination of the packets; transmitting the packets over a backhaul network to anther communications station according to the determined destination, and returning signalling information to the communications station.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of establishing a speech-bank call over a power line communications system comprising a power line for distributing electricity to a plurality of premises and a communication station coupled to the power line, the method comprising: receiving speech-band signals at the communications station from speech-band communications equipment, the speech-band signals comprising speech and signalling; converting the signalling between an analogue form used by the communications equipment and digital messages which can be conveyed over the power line data packets; encoding the digital messages into data packets; transmitting the data packets to/from the station over a part of the line which is external to the premises, using a packet data communications protocol, wherein the data packets have a length of 2-5 ms. receiving the packets at a base station which is coupled to the power line; determining destination of the packets; transmitting the packets over a backhaul network to anther communications station according to the determined destination, and returning signalling information to the communications station.
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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) | 2005-06-10 | 2005-12-10 | 2006-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | 2010-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-10 | 2013-12-10 | 2014-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |