Bi-directional customer premises wiring system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for using existing wiring or cabling in a residence or other customer premises both (a) to transmit network telecommunications to a gateway or similar device for processing, and (b) to distribute processed signals from the device to video, telephony and data receivers. The invention enables and facilitates the receipt by telephone company subscribers of high-speed digital telecommunications over twisted-wire pair cabling historically installed and used for voice telephone service. In an embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a bidirectional transmission facility, a first diplexer, and a second diplexer; the first diplexer receives network signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectional transmission facility, to the second diplexer; and the second diplexer receives distribution signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectional transmission medium, to the first diplexer.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A system capable of simultaneous bidirectional transmission of network and distribution signals comprising: 
 (a) a bidirectional transmission facility;    (b) a first diplexer; and    (c) a second diplexer;    (d) wherein 
 (i) the first diplexer receives network signals and transmits the network signals, using the bidirectional transmission facility, to the second diplexer; and  
 (ii) the second diplexer receives distribution signals and transmits the distribution signals, using the bidirectional transmission facility, to the first diplexer.  
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bidirectional transmission facility comprises coaxial cable.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frequency range of the network signals transmitted using the bidirectional transmission facility does not overlap the frequency range of the distribution signals transmitted using the bidirectional transmission facility.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first diplexer transmits the distribution signals to a video distribution system.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first diplexer receives the network signals from a first-diplexer input system.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first-diplexer input system comprises: 
 (a) a first transmission facility connected to a source of network signals;    (b) a second transmission facility connected to the first diplexer; and    (c) means, connected to the first transmission facility and the second transmission facility, for converting signals using the first transmission facility for transmission using the second transmission facility.    
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second diplexer receives the distribution signals from a gateway device.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second diplexer transmits the network signals to a second-diplexer output system.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second-diplexer output system comprises 
 (a) a first transmission facility connected to the second diplexer;    (b) a second transmission facility connected to the gateway; and    (c) means, connected to the first transmission facility and the second transmission facility, for converting signals using the first transmission facility for transmission using the second transmission facility.    
     
     
         10 . The system of any of claims  1 - 9 , wherein the network signals comprise xDSL signals.  
     
     
         11 . The system of any of claims  1 - 9 , wherein the distribution signals comprise TV/rf signals.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the xDSL signals comprise a plurality of programs.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the TV/rf signals comprise a plurality of programs.  
     
     
         14 . The system of any of claims  7 - 9 , wherein the gateway receives the network signals transmitted by the second diplexer, converts the network signals to distribution signals, and transmits the distribution signals to the second diplexer.  
     
     
         15 . A diplexer, comprising: 
 (a) receiver means for receiving xDSL signals;    (b) transceiver means, connected to a bidirectional transmission facility, for transmitting the xDSL signals and receiving TV/rf signals; and    (c) transmitter means for transmitting the TV/rf signals.    
     
     
         16 . The diplexer of  claim 15 , wherein the frequency range of the xDSL signals transmitted by the transceiver means does not overlap with the frequency range of the TV/rf signals received by the transceiver means.  
     
     
         17 . A diplexer, comprising: 
 (a) receiver means for receiving TV/rf signals;    (b) transceiver means, connected to a bidirectional transmission facility, for transmitting the TV/rf signals and receiving xDSL signals; and    (c) transmitter means for transmitting the xDSL signals.    
     
     
         18 . The diplexer of  claim 17 , wherein the frequency range of the xDSL signals received by the transceiver means does not overlap with the frequency range of the TV/rf signals transmitted by the transceiver means.  
     
     
         19 . An impedance converter for converting xDSL signals transmitted using a first transmission facility for transmission using a second transmission facility.  
     
     
         20 . The impedance converter of  claim 19 , wherein the first transmission facility comprises twisted wire pair cable and the second transmission facility comprises coaxial cable.  
     
     
         21 . An impedance converter for converting RV/rf signals transmitted using a first transmission facility for transmission using a second transmission facility.  
     
     
         22 . The impedance converter of  claim 21  wherein the first transmission facility comprises twisted wire pair cable and the second transmission facility comprises coaxial cable.