CA2255596A1 - Communications webs for pstn subscribers - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems for connecting telecommunications infrastructure lines (640) to telephones, handsets (300), computers (200), telecopy machines (400) and other end user interfaces or consumer electronics devices in a residence or business. Systems according to the present invention include Network Control Units (100) which form the center of a star topology and which communicate via RF link with Wireless Access Units (200) and handsets (300). Wireless Access Units feature an interface, such as, for example, a standard telephone jack, for accommodating a telephone, a fax machine (400), a compute modem or other device. Computers or other devices may also be accommodated by Wireless Access Units having other physical and virtual interfaces, including, for instance, serial ports (200) or network interfaces. The Wireless Access Units may also be digital to accommodate ISDN or any other digital standard. Wireless control/monitoring accessories may also be employed to communicate with the Network Control Unit (100) and provide additional functionality such as entrance monitoring, baby monitoring, HVAC control and other services.

Description

CA 022'7',',96 1998-11-17 COMMUNICATIONS WEBS FOR PSTN SUBSCRIBERS

FIELD OF INVENTION
This document is a continll~tir~n-in-part of U.S.S.N. 08/709,597 filed 5 September 9, 1996 entitled "Home Personal Co.".~ t-;cations System," .SnPllingMcIntosh and Tucker, inventors, which is in turn a continll~tion of U.S. Patent No.
S,555,258 issued September 10, 1996 having the same inventors, both of which application and patent are incorporated into this document as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Demand for access to voice and data ct~mml-nir.~tions on the public switched telephone network ("PSTN") is growing exponentially. Not only is the subscriber base e~r~n~ling log~ ..;r.~lly, but even more L~ignific~ntly, individual subscribers are beginning to require more than one connection and frequently multiple c~ nnpctions~ In addition to cellular tPleph~nP,s7 pagers, and other mobile devices, 15 residence-based connectivity is a ~i~ifir~nt factor in this exponential growth of the PSTN. Subscribers have begun in recent times and in significant volume to require second and third connections as a matter of course, such as for Global Il~l~alion Infrastructure (so-called "Internet") connectivity, facsi_ile and data cn.. ,~ ir~tiqnL~
and for childrens' lines.
Although it is conventional for a residence to contain standard telephone devices in various rooms supported by one line and perhaps a computer supported by another, the days of standard analog "plain old t~lephon~ service" or "POTS" are being overshadowed by the demand for cqnnrction.~ with s.lffirirnt capacity to supportgraphics, video, interactive applications and devices, and the so-called "push technology." In 1995, for init~nr,~) the Regional Bell Operating C~ mp~nies ("RBOC's") began transporting more data than voice cnmmlmic~tion.c. Accordingly,not only are subscribers employing more lines; the nature of the conn~cti~ n is also r~l~n in~ The rate of change will only increase over time.
The increased demand for rç~iAenti~l ~7ubsclil~el conl-e~;l;ons, and the ever r.h~n~in~ nature ofthose connections as new standards emerge for new and di[rerelll services, collGull~ a serious physical obstacle: the perm~n~.nt physically limited nature CA 022~96 1998-11-17 of the re~i~Pnti~l wiring plant. Twisted pair is a small pipe. Standards such as ADSL
aim to break through these physically-imposed limit~tion~ by delivering multipleçh~nnPI~ on a single line and splitting analog and digital çhannPl~ at the customer demarcation point in a manner that allows digital signals to be delivered to a nearby 5 computer. Standards have also evolved, such as 100-base-T, to squeeze pelro--l.ance from the installed twisted pair plant, but limits dictated by the non-~hiel(led nature of that mP.~ m will always exist. In any event, any physical wiring plant or mP~ m present or future, will suffer electrical and thus transport limit~tion~ due to wireline, coaxial, fiber or other mP~ m physical plope.~ies and char~ctPri.~tics. Connectivity in 10 the reei~pnce which avoids such physically-imposed pipe constrictions would therefore be bPnpfici~l Inevitably, subscribers will require an ever increasing array of computers and other connected electronic devices throughout the residence. Such devices will include not only those which resemble CO~ U~ i or televisions in nature which require 15 a large data pipe to support graphics, video and audio content. They may also be any electronic device one wishes to access remotely, many of which will tax the infrastructure in their own way with, for in~t~ncp~ new cnn.~ mPr electronics standards and interactive requirements. Por example, the anticipated 128 bit Internet protocol address format can, it is estim~te~l7 support every lightbulb in the world, each with its 20 own IP address. Re~idP.nti~l connectivity must accordingly take into account not only the m~gnit~l~e and nature of adtlition~l capacity demand imposed by each new device, but also the increasing volume of the new devices with which subscribers will inevitably populate their rP~idPncPs and small bu~inpss~ps Presel.~y, most rP~ nce.s feature only twisted pair wiring in the walls.
25 Even at the time of this writing, that plant is often in.~llffir.ir.nt for the requirements imposed by certain co-.v~ iqn~l rP~irlPnr,e based computer eyll;r)lllk~ll Rewiring for ~ltlition~l lines throughout the house, whether via today's twisted pair or perhaps coax standard, is trouble and expense enough, as well as a great r~ cp~l;ve which constricts demand for increased rçsidPnti~l bandwidth. As time passes and the rate of 30 technology change increases, however, subscribers could find themselves nPetlin~ to rewire every several years in order to acc~ mmn-l~te ch~nEinE standards and the need WO 98/49~ co PCT/US98/04175 for an ever greater dis~-ilJulion pipe. Although fiber plants could theoretically provide a solution; cost considerations rule them out as a practical solution for most rç~irlences and small blliin~
These factors create a need for c. nnçctivity in the r~sid~n.~.e between the S PSTN cUstom~r demarcation point and an ever increasing array and volume of tPIephonP~ fax m~hinç.~, bandwidth-intensive devices such as col..y~le-~ and televisions, and any other device which may be connected to the PSTN or feature an IP
address. Such connectivity must suffice not only for today; it must alleviate the need to rewire the residence in order to accommodate new ~h~e,s. It must accommodate 10 new devices, formats, protocols and standards, whether analog or digital It must be flexible and modular in design in order to accommodate a wide-ranging, ever r.h~nging ever evolving set of needs and ~rere.ences among the subscriber base It cannot afford to be constricted by the physically imposed limit~tions inherent in wireline, coaxial, fiber, or other physical residential plants. Yet it must be a reasonably priced solution in 15 order to avoid imposing a con~triction on growth and evolution of the telecn.. ~ ic~tic n~ distribution infrastructure.

SUMMARY OF TUE ~VENTIO~
Systems according to the present invention feature a Network Control 20 Unit or Web Control Unit ("NCU") which intçrf~ces to any desired number of PSTN
co~nectinn.~. Where the connçctions are analog, a Network Interface in the NCU
~i~ti7çS the signals and otherwise renders them compatible for delivery to a cross-connect switch, which may be int~rn~l The switch may be pro~,l~cd in the residence or remotely to connect signals from each PSTN cnnnçctinn via 25 radiofrequency link effi~i~ntly and in a frequency spe.,l.~n.-consenative manner to an number and comhin~tion of wi.elcss jacks or wireless access units. These wireless access units ~cco...i ~ny and connect to the subscriber's tPIeph~nes, computers, fax m~rhin,~, and other electronic devices in the residence or small business. Subscribers can, therefore, configure their co~ "l~ic~tion.~ webs to ~ccommndate their own 30 cn~ ic~tion~ needs by progl~,-".-i~ the switch based on the number and nature of their PSTN connçction~ their present and future teleFhnn~, comput~rs, fax m~.hin~s CA 022~96 1998-ll-17 and other devices, and their personal ~i~Ç~le,lces about, for inst~ce, what lines should ring and be conn~cted where in the residence.
~n~et.~ and/or Wireless Access Units or wireless jacks employed in CO~ ;natiQns webs of the present invention may comprise relatively simple and 5 inexpensive electronics to receive and process the radiofrequency link based signals and connP.ct them to the subscriber eq~lipmPnt. The h~n~ets include a transceiver, ml~ltirleY / ~P.n~llltirlex circuits, analog / digital CO~ ion circuits such as so-called "codec's" and control cilcuilly with a c~"~ on of, for instance, microphone and earphone for voice co--l-------;r~tions, and perhaps a jack for data Collllnllnic~tir~n~
Wireless Access Units contain cil~iUi~ly Si milar to the handset in analog environments, plus additional cil~iuilly for delivery ofthe signal to a standard interface such as an RJ- 1 1 jack. Such Wireless Access Units can be made available, according to the present invention, to accommodate any physical and electrical interface standard, such as Wireless Access UDits for ISDN intPrf~ces and any other desired 15 digital services. When a subscriber decides to connect a new computer to the PSTN
via an ISDN line, for eY~mple~ the subscriber can simply buy a new, l~ld~ ,ly inexpensive digital Wireless Access Unit with RS 232 port, connect that unit to the computer, reprogram the Network Control Unit to connect the new ISDN connection and new Wireless Access Unit, and thereby be connected via an rfficient RF link rather 20 than needing to call a contractor to tear the walls out.
The PSTN connfc~;on~ may therefore t~ e in the rÇQi~pnre at a Network Control Unit which may be physically small and innocuous in appe~ce, perhaps placed on a table or counter or mounted on a wall and, if desired, coupled to a nearby ekpctric~l outlet and to a controller such as a personal computer or other . 25 interface if the user desires control other than by intp~ces on the Network Control Unit itself. The unit may feature a stub ~ntP.nn~ enclosed planar antenna or other desired ~ntPnn~ Throughout the rP.~ ncP., any device desired to connect to the PSTN can connect to or contain its own Wireless Access UrJit which may be battery powered and connP,ct to the NCU via the RF link. No additional physical ll.~ l,n30 need be planted.

CA 022~96 1998-11-17 WO 98/49850 PCT/U~3~SJ'~i~1175 The present invention accordingly makes possible wireless, çffirjP!nt, flexible and modular connectivity between any desired device and the PSTN (or other teleco..,.n~ cAtion~ infrastructure) within the residçnce or small business. TheNetwork Control Unit itself may be modular in design to accomm~date various circuit 5 boards for various ch-qnging and evolving standards and protocols. Multiple NCU's may be employed, or multiple NCU functionality may be incorporated into a unit, in order to accommodqte objectives such as, for in~tqnc~7 dive~ y, hand-offçq,pa~ilit.y and additional capacity. New Wireless Access Units may be purchased for whateverparticular devices a par~icular sul)scliber desires, and he or she may update the system 10 with new circuit boards and new Wireless Access Units and perhaps new hqn~1sets as time passes, new devices and services evolve, and standards change.
The Network Control Unit may be programmed by the subsr.riber using an interface on the unit. It may be ctmnPcted via network or PSTN link to a remote progl~.. ;l-e source, either for the subscriber's control or control by a service bureau.
15 Such proglA~.~...;..g ofthe Network Control Unit, and other control and ~iEnqline may occur via connectivity to the PSTN ~ien~lin~ and control infrastructure, inr.l~1~ine the so-called "Advanced IntPIIig~nr,e Networks."
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a flexible, modular system which provides connectivity be~weell the PSTN or other 20 teleco..,...unications infrastructure and any desired electronic devices a subscriber wishes to connect, via RF link.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide business and rPQi~P.nti~l wheless connectivity between the PSTN and COlllyulel~, h~nrl~ets, and other devices which çlimin~t~ the need to rewire businesses and rç~idçnc~s in order to25 accommodate new standards and services.
It is an ~d-lition~l object of the present invention to provide RF-based connectivity between any number of PSTN lines and any number of now existing or future electronic devices, in a modular and flexible manner.
Other objects, ~ealules and advantages of the present invention will 30 become apl)arel~l with respect to the rem~intlPr of t_is document.

*rB

CA 022~96 1998-11-17 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEIE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a sr.hPm~tic view of a residence which fe~Lures one embodiment of a system according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schPm~tic, greatly simplified, rep,t;s~la~ion of a Time S Division ~IlltirleY Access ("TDMA") frame having eight slots supporting four bi-directional ch~nnPI~ in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Figure 3A is a high level functional block diagram of a Network Control Unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3B is a schrnl~tic diagram, at a lower level than Figure 3A, of a Network Control Unit according to one embodiment ofthe present invention in which four coder / decoder or "codec's" are employed in cormection with four analog POTS
lmes.
Figure 3C is a functional block diagram of a single code which may accommodate the four lines, for in~t~nc~, shown in Figure 3B as an ~ltprn~tive design for purely analog POTS lines.
Figure 4 is a fi~nctional block diagram of one embodiment of a h~nriset according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is a fimctional block diagram of one embodiment of a Wireless Access Unit according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of a Network Control Unit which is adapted to accornmodate the ISDN standard, alone or in connection with other analog PSTN col~neclions.
Figure 7 is a filnr.tion~l block diagram of a Network Control Unit according to the present invention adapted to accommodate three analog and one digital PSTN connections.
Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a digital Wireless Access Unit according to the present invention.
Figures 9A and 9B are fi~nction~l block diagrams as one embodiment of switching / processing cil.iuilly contained in one embodiment of a Wireless Access Unit or handset according to the present invention.

CA 022.7.7.796 1 998 - 1 1 - 17 Figure 10 is a high level functional block diagram of ~ sceivel circuitry which may be employed in the present invention if desired.
Figure 1 lA is a iimplified flow diagram illustrating one configuration sequence of the Network Control Unit of Figure 3 .
Figure 1 lB is a table showing configuration of the Network Control Unit of Figure 3 resulting from the configuration sequence shown in Figure 1 lA.
Figure 12 is a schPm~tic diagram showing operation of a comm .nications web according to the present invention according to F.Y~mplP. 1 r1i.ccussed below.
Figure 13 is a sçhrm~tic diagram showing operation of another 10 cnmm..nic~ti- nC web according to the present invention according to Example 2 discussed below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TUE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a sr~lPm~tic hypothetical floor plan for a residence or business 15 co~ g one simple embodiment of a co~ ;cation.C web according to the present invention. The floor plan shows a Network Control Unit or "NCU" 100 which terminates four central office POTS lines or connections desi~n~te.d "C01" through "C04." In embodiments other than the particular one shown in liiy,ure 1, the cnnnPctionC may occur other than in the so-called "local loop." They may also occur 20 inanymPdil~m inr.~ inf~wireline,coaxial,fiber,te~ tlialradiofrequencylink, satellite link. Each connection may supply any number and sort of cnmm~lniç~tionc çh~nnPIc, inr.h1rlin~ analog or digital according to any present or future standard, format or protocol. The comlc~,lions may also ori~in~te in or contain signals transported by telccl ~.. I.~-;c~tinnc i~l~sllL~cture or nelwo~ks other than the PSTN, 25 whether switched or non-switched, circuit based switched, packet based switched or otherwise. For convenience in disclosing structure and operation of commllniC~tirJnc webs accolding to the present invention, however, reference will be made to the PSTN, but in a non-limiting fashion.
A number of Wireless Access Units or wheless jacks ("WAU's") 201 -30 203 may be found throughout the floor plan, linked via RF link to the NCU.
,~tlitinn~lly, a r~mber of h~n~setc and col~vr~l;nn~l tPIPphonPs 300 - 304 whether portable or conn~cted to a WAU may also be found throughout the floor plan. Other electronic devices such as a fax 400 may be inr.hlde(l; fax 400 in Figure 1 is shov.~n connected to a WAU 202.
Any number of connections may t~.rmin~te in one or more NCUs for a 5 particular location according to the present invention. Similarly, WAUs according to the present invention, which may be RF linked to one or more NCUs for a particular location, can be adapted to accommodate any telec~ mml~nic~tion, con.illmP.r electronic or other required standard, format or protocol, whether analog or digital and can be m~mlf~ctllred and sold individually for that purpose to render co.. llications webs 10 according to the present invention modular in nature with a mix of components to suit every reasonable taste and pre~l ence. A WAU may connect to, for in~t~nr~, a "telephone", such as telephone insl~uluelll 300 in Figure 1, a conventional modem, directly to a personal co~ uLel via ISDN WAU, to a fax m~rllin~ via fax WAU, or any other desired electronic device. A number of WAUs and h~n~sets may be employed 15 according to the present invention to accnmm- d~te any particular co",billalion of electronic devices the subscriber desires to have conn~cted to the PSTN. Figure 1 is simply a hypothetical floor plan in order to provide a modicum of topological perspective relative to NCUs, WAUs, h~n-l~et.~ and other electronic devices as employed in co.. ,nir,~tions webs ofthe present invention.
NETWORK CONTROL UNIT
Figures 3A through 3C show, in functional block diagram format, embodiments and portions of embodiments of Network Control Units ("NCU's") according to the present invention. Accol .ling to a p-~rell ed embodiment of the present invention, NCU 100 inrllldes interface cil~;uilly for interf~ring with PSTN or other lines or connections from a switch or other component of the PSTN or otherteleco~ ic~tions transport infrastructure or n~,lwGlk, whether analog or digital.
This ~ uilly, d~nomin~ted "Network Tnt~ ce" 650 as shown in Figure 3A, couples to ~wilcLng (and, if desired, britlging and accesso~y) cil~iuilly as shown with numeral 660 in Figure 3A. This discussion considers signals in a "duw~lslle~" or a PSTN to NCU to WAU direction, from which corresponding signal flow in the opposite direction is appale~l.

W 0~8/49.5V PCT~US98/0417S

The Cross Connect Switch / Conference Bridge / Accessoly Block ("CAB") components couple signals from the Network Interface corresponding to incoming lines, in a predet~rmin~d and proc~,~,.,lable manner, with additional functionality, if desired, to downstream cilcuiLly for eventual RF tr~nc~mi.qcion to WAU's and h~ntlcetc. The switching and bridging components ofthe CAB are the portion of the Network Control Unit that allow the subscriher either remotely orlocally to design~te by pro~ "~ g into the NCU which of his or her telephnn~
instruments, computers, fax m~chines and other devices connect to various PSTN
lines at particular times of day or under particular conditions. Either or both of the Bridging and Accessory circuits may be omitted if desired, so that the CAB only performs the switching functionality.
The signals being plupe~ly switched in the CAB as design~ted for the subscriber's devices are then delivered to the NCU's "Radio Multiplex Engine" asshown in Figure 3A with numeral 670. The RME mllltipleYes the signals as, for in.C~t~nce, by time division mllltipleY access, or according to any desired format, onto a number of predet~rmined r.h~nn~qlc~ for bandwidth and RF frequency conservation. The multiplexed signals are del*ered to Radio Transceiver 680 where the signals may be con-liti- n~rl again multiplexed according to any desired format, and modulated onto an app~ op~iate RF carrier or carriers in a programmable manner or as otherwise desired for tran~micsion to WAUs 200, h~nrl,cete 300 and other devices if desired.
Multiplex~ng, mod~ ti( n and other processing in order to render signals at the CAB
output co,~ll.alible for RF tr~ncmiccion~ may occur in the same module or any desired combination of modules or circuits.
An NCU Controller 690 connect~ to all circuits in the NCU and may be progl~ed via user interface on the NCU, via comr~lter coupled to the Controller or other portions of the NCU, or remotely over one of the incoming lines 640. The Controller 690 may itself be né~wo,ked to the PSTN or other teleco...,....~-ic~tionc infrastructure ~ ling and control network, such as for remote or partially remote control by Advanced Tntelli~nce Nelwolk~ or other cign~lin~ and control netw~,lks.
In greater detail, the Network Tnt~rf~ce 650 of t_e NCU may be modular in design and colllai~s the circuits that connect to the public switched telephone network for accommodating various media, inr.hlding twisted pair, coax, fiber and wireless, and various modes, incl~l~in~ analog, digital or a hybrid. A Network TntPrface may be modular and portions for all lines may be implPmPnted in aprlic~ti- n.
specific integrated ~ir~iuilly ("ASIC") mPr~ m to accommodate analog circuits, or 5 services requiring, among other interfaces, ISDN, T-l, CATV/COAX ATM, micro-ATM, AMPS, N-AMPS, TDMA digital cellular, CDMA digital cellular, analog or digital SMR (Nextel), PCS, LEO s~tPIlit~, geosychronous s~tçllitç, Internet protocol or any other present or future form of wheless or wireline local loop or other teleco..,..l~.;cations infrastructure service. As shown in Figure 3B, the Network Interface for a system according to the present invention which accomrnodates four POTS lines, could take the form of a quad arrangement of independent Direct Access Arrangement ("DAA") circuits 690, each having ap~ pliate Lla~rullllcr, isolator and line protection circuitry as re4uired, a two to four wire hybrid 700, and a coder /
decoder ("code") 10. The Network Interface ~ uuilly is accoldingly adapted for al~prùpliate isolation, imreA~nr,e m~tr.lling, line protection, mPAillm conversion (two wire to four wire) and analog-to-digital / digital-to-analog col.vel~ion in order for its output signal 720 to be coupled to CAB 660. (The functionality in POTS versions of direct access arr~ngpmpnt circuits 690 comrri~es collv~llLional coml)ol~ s and is collventionally imrlP.mPnted ) Figure 3C shows an ~ltp~rn~tive arrangement for a Network Interface adapted to accomrnodate four POTS lines. There, the line conrlitiQninE Ci~l,uiLIy which can include hybrids 700 and other components cross-couples to a single code 710,instead of the re~luilemelll that a code be employed for each line 640. Output of the Network Interface may be on a bus 730 instead of individual outputs coupled to CAB
660, in order to couple Network TntP~ce 650 to CAB 660 via a mllltipl~.YP.d connP,ctinn for physical simplicity and logical implP,mPnt~tic n For ISDN, the Network Interface may be the so-called "U-Tnt~rf~ce" and associated 4-level dibit modem cil~iùilly. Other digital services require a Network Interface especially adapted to interface to a particular mP~ lm, format and protocol.
For any of the wil-,less local loop or so called fixed wireless services inrlutlin~ 5~tçllitP" the Network Tnterf~ce may be a wireless modem which jnrl~ldes a CA 022~96 1998-11-17 radio lec~i~el or transceivers and ~ opliate modulation / demodulation, coding and decoding ~ uilly. When the Network Interface is a wireless modem / Radio Transceiver, the NCU 100 opel~les as a radio transponder or rebroadcast unit, comm~lnic~ting with the PSTN via one wireless protocol, and with the WAUs 200, 5 h~n~setq 300 and other components of systems according to the present invention via the sarne or pelhaps dirrelelll protocols. This aspect of the invention may be counter-inluilive: If the c~ nn~ction to the PSTN is wireless, one approach is simply to connect directly to any location in the resitlenr.e instead of relaying signals through the NCU
100. However, systems according to the present invention address a problem this 10 approach would present, because Radio Transceivers that interface to the PSTNtypically must comply with elaborate air interf~ce standards having precise frequency control, well-defined RF bandwidth, higher ll~rlslllil power (to accommodate thegreater rli~t~nce to a cell tower or PCS antenna), better receiver sensilivily, higher battery drain and shorter battery life1 and increase complexity and expense. A handset 300 or a WAU 200 according to the present invention, however, is a far simpler and less eA~,.lsive device which need only accommr,date the present invention's lessstringent internal air interface standards, but nevertheless retain the functionality to provide corded quality and reliability for indoor / nearby outdoor service that is inexpensive, compact, lightweight, fleYible and m~mlf~ct~lred and sold, if desired, 20 tailored to specific devices such as faxes or various digital standards which not every subsclil,er may wish to employ.
~ nrnmine co~n~cl;oni to the Network Interface 650 could be physically separate twisted pairs as in the case of analog POTS lines where each line t~ ,n~çs from the PSTN via an independent twisted pair; ~lt~rn~tively, each incoming circuit 25 can be mllltip~.Yed over a single pair, such as two digital circuits provided by a COllv~ ;on~l, basic rate (2B + D) ISDN line. A 6 megabit per second micro-ATM
fiber connection could provide digital voice service, MPEG-2 digital video and other services over a single optical fiber which could be de-mllltip'~Y~d (ml-ltipleY~d for outgoing or UpSllGalll hlrol ..,~I;on) in the Network Interface, and incoming lines could 30 be virtual. That is, ~flition~l lines could be ~ ned on an as needed basis and charged accolL~ly. For exatnple, a subscriber might have connection to one line *rB

CA 022SSS96 l998-ll-l7 W O 98/49850 PCT/U~ 9'~175 from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m, two lines from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and four lines from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and be billed accordingly for the partial use. As diRcll~sed below, the CAB 660 can be programmed to ~qccoJnmodate ch-q-nee.c in the PSTN
connection~ in real time in order to disll;l ule bandwidth and service as desired among various WAUs 200, hqn~lcet.i 300 and the other end user inte~r,e devices.
The NCU 100 may be capable of routing calls or sessions via the global information infrastructure, whether or not co~ essed (such as, for in~t~q~nr.~ using elemedia branded co,ll?lession or other cGlllpression). Such an NCU 100 adapted for this purpose at present may employ NetPhone branded functionqlity~ as one r~ le of presently available suitable functionality. Successols will be equally suitable. CROSS CONNECT SWITCH / CONFERENCE BRII)GE / ACCESSORY
BLOCK
Cross connect switch / cG~ercl.ce bridge / qccessory blocks ("CAB's") according to the present invention may be, electronically or virtually, an n x m switch which is programmed to hllcl co~ect any incoming signal 720 from the Network Interf~re 650, (whether physical, virtual, multiplexed or wireless) to a number of output signals or interfaces which correspond to co~unic~qtion~ rhqnn~l~, according to one topology, or to combinations of the hqn~1set~, t~ lephone~, fax mqchine~
colll~ulels or other devices serviced by WAU's 200 and/or hqnrl~et~ 300 ofthe present invention, according to another topology. The CAB 660 can, but need not, includefunctionality simply to bridge or COlll'h~,.lCe these same circuits and/or remote devices, thus ~liminqting the need for further processing of the signals beyond CAB 660. A
CAB may additionally contain a variety of decoders, gencl~lors~ synth~si7~rs and other circuits as desired.
CAB 660iS preferably coupled to a local Control Processor and/or an PYtP.rnql computer and/or network or server, if desired. The ~.Yt~rnql connection may be directly by bus or synchronous connection, or via any of the PSTN lines 640. In systems according to the present invention having mllltirle NCUs, CABs 660, Control Processors 690 and other components may be coupled and/or nclwolhed among various NCUs and/or external / or server control capacity.

CA 022~96 1998-11-17 ~ WO 98/49850 PCT/U~J~ 175 The CAB shown in Figure 3A is under control of a local Control Processor 685 and personal computer 687. For voice services, the CAB 660 may function similar to a central switchboard and conference bridge routing each line to one or more Wireless Access Units 200 and/or h~nrlsetq 300 as programmed in Control Processors 685 and/or PC 687. Multiple lines 640, h~n~.cet.q 300, telephones connected to WAUs 200, and other devices may be conferenced to form any number of p~ ulalions and coll,billalions of collr~ences. One wireless handset can callanother without using any of external lines 640 simply using the allotted time slots, codes or RF ch~nn~lq involving the two h~nfl.qets 300, or telephones cnnnected to a 10 WAU 200. A conference call of any two or more internal handset or telephone devices can similarly occur. Calls or conferences among mllltiple devices on multiple networked or shared NCU's can similarly occur.
The CAB 660, like other components in the NCU, the WAU's and the h~nd~qet,s, can be imrlemented in analog circuits inrl~l-ling relays, transistors, CMOS
15 media or any other application specific or nonspecific analog coml)onents and/or integrated circuits, but preferably signals 720 arriving at CAB 660 are digital so that CAB 660 may be imrl~m~nted entirely digitally.
CABs 660, according to the present invention, are adapted to route and direct data signals, such as, for eY~mple when using external data services via Tntto.rn~t 20 or internal n~lworhs within the subscriber's location. In the voice case, virtual circuits may be established for each call which can remain in place for the duration of a call. In the data case, a Carrier Since Multiple Access ("CSMA"), Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM") or packet switching protocol can be employed, among other formats or protocols, in order to support a larger number of bursty devices. A comhin~tion of ~ 25 virtual data circuits and CSMA can be employed if desired. In similar fashion, CABs 660, according to the present invention, are also adapted to ~ccommnd~te voice and data traffic .qimlllt~neously, routing traffic and m~n~f~nE~ resources as desired.
Conr~lence Bridge functionality in the CAB 660 is preferably impl~mented as a high quality digital bridge which ~ lq all connections at suitable and equal 30 audio levels. Although the Conference Bridge filnr.tinn~lity can be im~ nted in analog circuits, again it is preferably implemented digitally using logic or digital signal ~ WO 98/49850 PCT/US98/04175 processing. Digital leveling and noise control may be used to ..~ voice circuit quality regardless of the numbers of parties bridged together. The Co~ere,lce Bridge may also be adapted to bridge in one or more outside lines onto an existing circuit, adding hqn~setc 300 and/or WAUs 200 to the circuit.
The Accessory Block fimr.tinnqlity, which may, but need not, form a portion of CABs 660 according to the present invention, may contain Çe~lules which add flexibility and additional levels of services to cnmm~mications webs according to the present invention. The Accessory Block fiunctionality may include, for inctq~n DTMF generator, DTMF decoder, speech synthP,ci7~r, speech recognizer, speech com~r~ssion expander (ADCPM), digital speech interpolation (DSI), caller ID
decoder, low or high speed telephone modem, fax modem capable of Group III or sirnilar functions, real time clock / c.qlPn~l~r digital telephone answ~ling device (TAD) and other fimctionality as desired. These fimr,tionc are provided in conjunction with the Control Processor 685 and other portions of CAB 660 to implPmP.nt c~qpqbility such as autodialing, remote prog,~ bility, voice c~ n~l realùles, digital voice prol~~ g, voice store and f~lw~Ld, and other advanced fi-nr.tionqlity Portions or all of the Accessory Block Functionality may be sited on board or remote to NCU 100 as desired for particular implempnt~tinns~ External connections can adapt the NCU to an existing external fax / modem unit, for instance.
Functionality which may also be inrJIlded in the NCU 100 inr.hlde~c intelligent call control. For in.ctqnrP.7 a CPT generator inrl~l~ed in NCU 100 can generate cimlllqted dial tone when of~hook. The NCU 100 interprets touch-tone dialing inputs from a handset 300 or WAU 200, adds appropliate prefix or other .cign~ling, or for jnct~qnre~ a~tom-qtirqlly adds new and r.llAIlged area code cignqling for dialing a number which the NCU 100 recogn~zes but whose area code or other call control ;~ ;on has cll-qnged Likewise, the NCU 100 can correct dialing errors insingle digits of familiar numbers in order to prevent mic~iqlc and wrong numbers.
Such function-qlity can be employed to add sipn-q-ling so that the user need only dial a portion ofthe number, similar to au~G~..alic "fastfill" data entry in convP,ntionql 30 so~vare applicqtionc Such signqlin~ can also reflect intPlligenr.e within the device or based at least in part on i"~ ion to which the NCU 100 co~nPctC, which provides CA 02255596 l998-ll-l7 least cost routing to Ji~c~clll long tlict~n~e carriers according to time, and station called, among other factors. Various ot_er cign~lin~ c~pa~ilities can be i~ mh.,l ed and al1tomqted as desired, inr.~ 1ine those such as a-ltorn~tine the Internet Service Provider / Long Distance server.
The NCU Switching, Bridging and Accessory Block function~lity or any other software employed by NCU 100 may reside on board the NCU and may but need not be remotely programrnable or upgradeable. It may also incorporate remotely ~ccec.ced or pushed program and or data objects and/or applir.~ticmR as desired,in~hl~ling in the JAVA, Active/X, or other l~ngll~ges. It may also include any other desired application, in~ ine for instance, voice / data encryption among the NCU100, WAU 200 and handset 300 for privacy, network security, fraud protection andauthentication.
NCU' s 100 according to the present invention preferably include a standard c~nn~ctnr such as an RJ-I 1 cc nnPctor which may be haldwilcd to a single line tP1ephnnP or connecte~, for eY~mrlP., to existing in-home wiring. This connector permits the NCU 100 to manage the existing telephc-n-P or wiring as part of its nc~wo~ perhaps permitting them to answer any ringing line. Alternatively, a POTSNCU 100 could have a drop out relay or FET circuit which m~y ~u~o~ ;c?lly switchthe existing wiring over to this connector in the event of a power failure or a system failure. If the NCU 100 is equipped with backup batteries or other auxiliary power, it may continue to function either until mains power is restored or its b~tteries become e~rh~llsted in which case it drops off-line and switches to the em~gellcy bypass routing to the PYt~m~l cnnnPctor.
Control Processor 685 according to the present invention cc mm~ntls .25 swi~ching, routing, RF, accessory and other filnction~lity implemPnted in CAB 660, Radio T~sceiver 680 and other circuits in NCU 100s according to the present invention. Control Processor 685 could be a small micro-controller chip, although more processing power may be required to acco_modate ISDN and other digital int.o.nf~ce NCUs 100. Then, P.xtPm~l PCS 687 and, if desired, servers, may participate in the control fim~tionR A very simple ~lgorithm by which the Control Processor 685 governs CAB 660 for the topology shown in Figure 1 is shown in Figures 1 lA and CA 022~96 lsss-ll-l7 W O 98/49850 PCT~US98/04175 1 lB, in which, step-by-step, lines 640 are m~t~hed in the CAB 660 to various WAUs 200, h~ndqets 300, and other devices. The control algorithms and pro~ ,nine itself may occur locally as by an interface 689 which may be impl~.m~nted in buttons or a keyboard, by PC 687 or external connection, inrl~tling nelwulk or telecolnm lnications 5 infrastructure.
Alternatively, systems of the present invention are adapted to permit control of the NCU 100, inr.lll~inf~ Control Processor 685 and CAB 660 from a remote service center so that a subscriber can call the service center in the event the subscriber feels technic~lly short of the task of progl i~.. ;ng his or her NCU to accomml-date 10 various WAUs 200 and h~n~.~et.~ 300. Configuration data could also be downloaded from a website.
PC and other ~Ytern~l connectivity leverages on higher intP~ .nce of the PC, additional mass memory fimrtion~lity for updates and ~t~h~se~ and similar applications, the more convenient user interface, and more elaborate applications 15 software such as, for in~t~nre, directory m~n~g~nnent, spr~sheet.~ and rlPt~b~Qe managers, PC based speech synthesis and recognition software.
RADIO MULTIPLEX ENGINE
CAB output signals 750 are coupled to a radio mllltipleY~ engine 670 according to the present invention which can comprise a digital logic block that20 implem~nt.~ any ofthe following fimr.tion~lity: mllltirl~ying / d~m-.ltiplexing, preferably but not necesst ~ ily TDMA / TDD (Time Division ~.-ltirl~x Access t Time Division Duplex), forward error control and general error management, speech co.l.l,ression if required, code division multiplex and dem..ltirl~Yine if any, hopset gen~;lalion if any, and other critical timing, syncl~on;~;on and coding filnction~
critical to the operation of the systems according to the present invention.
RME' s 670 according to the present invention generally but not necçss~rily operate at speeds sufficiently high to render Control Processor 685 m~n~g~.ment ine~clive, although that need not be the case.
RME signals 770 are coupled, in systems of the present invention, to .
wireless Radio T.ansc~;ver ("RT") circuilly 680 as shown in Figure 3A. The RT 680 may be a low cost multiplexed Radio T.~sct;iver or set of transceivers which provides *rB

CA 022~96 1998-11-17 proper modulation onto RF carriers as desired with or without mllltipl~YinE and duplexing according to any of the following formats or others: TDMA / TDD, TDMA
/ FDD, CDMA / FDD, CDMA / TDD, FDMA / TDD, or FDMA / FDD~ or any of these with frequency hopping or direct frequency spread spectrum. The plhl.a,y 5 function is to achieve tr~n~mi~s on of multiple Rim-llt~neous independent data streams to WAUs 200 and h~n~ets 300.
MllltipleYinE is but one aspect of the larger issue of bandwidth conservation and resource sharing, which also inrl~ldes duplexing and channelizing, among other things. For purposes of this disclosure, multiplexing means methods of 10 mllltirle remote units commllnicating sim--lt~neously with a common NCU 100 for access to the PSTN. D~lple~inE means methods of .~im-llt~nP.ous u~ eal~ and duw~s~ n cl"n",~l-ications, such as .~im--lt~neou.~ comm~nications from anNCU 100 to a given handset 300 and from the handset back to the NCU. Ch~nn~.li7.inE means methods of bandwidth sharing so that multiple systems, each consisting of an NCU, 15 h~nd~ets and WAU's, which may happen to fall within radio range of one another, such as in an a~ lmelll building, for instance, can share the same band but not h-lelr~, t; with one another.
Time division m-lltiplP.YinE and code division multiplexing are both acceptable forms of multiplexing, among others, for purposes of the present invention.
20 With time division multiplexing, carrier bandwidth is nh~ ~el than code division mllltipl~ing access bandwidth, f~r.ilit~tinE frequency-domain ch~ i7;-lE. While CDMA could also be employed for rh~nnPIi7:inE, such as, for instance, the d;lr~enl NCU's using orthf)g~n~l spreading codes on the same RF carrier frequency, it is generally necess~,y to control ll~1smll power levels very tightly so that the well-25 known near-far problem of direct sequency spread spectrum does not create difficulty.
This means that it would be n~cs,Ss~, y to coordinate the transmit power levels from one NCU to the next and among the handsets as well. This could be a terhnic~lly challenging problem.
Most CDMA cellular and PCS systems that are in place as of this 30 disclosure use frequency division duplexing (FDD) rather than time division d~lpl~YinE
(TDD) for bi-directional col.",~ ;r~tic n~. It would not be practical to use CDMA for *rB

CA 022sss96 199X-11-17 duplexing at present. Using TDD, it is possible to use the same RF channel for bi-directinnAl com-~ CAtinns~ TDD also r.limin~tes the need for the costly duplex filter that routes ll~nsll i~ energy to the antenna away from the receiv~r and vice versa, replacing it with a relatively compact, incApensive diplex switch. TDMA/TDD with5 frequency-domain rh~ g is thel~role the plerelled embodiment of duple~in~ as of this ~ierln~s~re Time division m~lltirle.Ying is pl~r~lled over FDMA, at present, because FDMA would require the generation of a separate carrier for each of four or more independent cnmmllnic~tion~ links, which is expensive.
Discrete mllltiton~ or DMT/TDD may offer some advantages in mllltir~th 10 fading ellvi~ llents over TDD, and may be considered. This option is economically imposing until DMT (also known as orthogonal discrete frequency modlllAtinn or ODF~I), which requires rapid fast Fourier transform and inverse FFT c~lc~ tions,becomes more tractable using convention~l DSP engines.
~ Conveniently, the RT circuitry 680 need not conform to any error interface standard, since it co.. il-icates only with like equirm~rlt and usually does not interface to the PSTN or any other public netwul~ except via a sep~ale~ higher quality Ll~scc;iver if any is implemsnted in the Network TntrrfAce 650 or connected to it.
Systems according to the invention can be impl~m~.nted with any number of modulation formats. Those include partial response, quadrature partial response 20 (QPR), binary phase shift keying (BPSK), di~enlial binary phase shift keying (DBPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), di~relllial quadrature phase s_ift keying (DQPSK), pi-over-four quadrature phase shift keying (pi/4QPSK), pi-over-four Ji~ele~.tial quadl~lule phase shift keying (pi/4DQPSK), frequency shift keying (FSK), four- or eight- level FM, discrete m7lltitnne (DMT) (or orthogonal discrete frequency 25 modlllAtiqn). The particular mod~llAtion format chosen depends in large degree on the radio regulations to be cnmrlied with, which may vary from jllri~diction to jurisdiction.
Proper operation of systems of the present invention may be accomrli~hrd using practically any mod~ tion format, and none is considered es~cntiAl to the invention.
QPSK or a variation of it may I ~l~,S~ a good tradeoffbetween economy, bandwidth30 ~ffirirnr,y and se.-s;livily to mllltir~th fading at present, however, and is accordingly as ofthe date ofthis filing the pler~lled mod~ tion format.

*rB

Any modulation format can be overlaid with spread spectrum. Frequency hopping can be used as a mllltiple access technique. Spread spectrum systems areafforded the advantage of higher Ll~ s~L power under the radio rules g~Vt;lning unlicensed radio ll~ t~rs in some countries, inrlllding the U.S. and Canada. In 5 a~lhion; some direct sequence impl~ ;ons have anti-m-.ltirath plopellies whichcan be exploited to provide more robust co....n ~l~ic~tions. Both techniques may offer some advantages with respect to mitig~ting i,.lelr~lence from like or unlike systems operating within the same bandwidth. For these reasons, spread spectrum techniques may be employed in the pl ~rell ed embodiment of the invention.
Via an independent co,.. ".. ~.,;r~ticm~ protocol, the RT unit 680 can comml~niç~te with other NCUs 100 that fall within radio range. The NCUs 100 can share hopset data hlLelrerence records, timing and usage h~ ;on all toward the end of avoiding one another's ~ ;ons. In like manner, the components of each system, NCUs 100, WAUs 200, h~nrl~ets 300 all transmit at the lowest power nPce~ . y to provide reliable COlll u~ications, using power management sensing and response to i~ r~ence or other criteria. In this manner, each system .,.;~ s its"radius of interference,7' the appru~l.ale circular area surrounding a given system within which it is capable of ge~lcl~ g ~elrel~ nce in other (like or unlike) systems operating in the same band.
WIRELESS ACCESS UNITS
Wireless Access Units 200 according to the present invention may be of two general sorts: (1) analog for a wireless tPlephnne jack fimr,tion such as one that can accommndate a telephnne or a collv~.~l ;on~l modem; or (2) digital, for a wireless colll~uLel or digital device cnnnection (such as DB-25, USB, Fth.o.rn~.t, ISDN-ST, PCMCIA or sirnilar serial or parallel data commllnic~tinn~ connection)~
Figure 5 shows one form of analog WAU 200 according to the present invention. The analog WAU 200 may include a Radio Transceiver 800 which links WAU 200 via RF connection to NCU 100, a Radio ~Illtirl~X Engine 802, a Control Processor 804, and cil~iuiLly that provides basic subscriber loop functions of battery, over voltage protection, ringing, ~upel~;;.ion (offhook sensing), code, hybrid and test filnctinn~lit.y (so called borscht) filnr.tinn~lity. The analog WAU 200 of Figure 5 may CA 022~96 1998-11-17 WO 98/45~50 PCT/US98/04175 be impl~mPnted in a small unit which les~ l.l,les a wall t~çulmer with one or more RJ-l 1 jacks on the back or side, and it can, if desired, draw power from any AC outlet and provide an analog t~lephnne type connPction to a computer modem, a fax m~hin~,, a telephone answering device, a standard telephone or any other device that S connects with a standard RJ-11 jack. The unit may but need not be transparent to caller ID inf~ ;on, passing it through from the PSTN. Similarly, the unit may pass through coded ringing and other custom ~ lin~ Its power supply provides power for standard telephones which are line powered. Its high voltage ring generator rings telephones with the standard 90 volt rms, 20-Hz ring signal or other standards for foreign countries. Note that while this unit is typically though not necess~rily "wired"
to the AC power wiring and therefore is not totally "wireless," the lin~ between this unit and the incoming lines 640 connected to NCU 100 is wireless. lt therefore ~limin~tes the subscriber's need to place telephones where telephone outlets arelocated. Battery power, if employed, allows totally wireless operation, providing even more flexibility in location.
A digital Wireless Access Unit 200 of one sort according to the present invention is shown in Figure 6. Such a Wireless Access Unit 200 can provide wireless connection to computers, computer peripherals, ISDN-ST telephone sets and other digital devices. Since the radio link used in systems acco-ding to the present invention is digital, the digital cir~ y in the Wireless Access Unit 200 principally pelrwl"s a buffering, error control, and protocol convt;l~ion fimction. The external digital interface can take many forms, in~.hl~1in~ DB-25, the standard serial port conn~ctor;
USB, Intel's new UniV~l ~al serial bus ~ dal d; parallel-port (printer) cc nnection;
Fth.ornP.t; 1 0-base-T; 100-base-T, Fast or Gigabit Ft1lernet; PCMCIA and others.
Again, the WAU 200 may be of the sort which is adapted to operate with an ~t~rn~l fax / modem such as shown, for instance, in Fig. 13. Digital Wireless Access Unit 200, like analog Wireless Access Unit 200, may be mains or battery powered, so that they may provide lmteth~red convenience to the user.
WlR~ S CONTROL / MONITORING ACCESSORIES
Systems according to the present invention can also ptl~llll many control and m~ nitQring filn-~.tion~ at a subscriber' s location for convenience and increased CA 02255596 l998-ll-l7 efficiency. For in~t~nr.ç, a wireless doorbell accessory or WAU 200 can emit a coded ring in response to a ringing doorbell signal. The subscriber could then press an "intercom" soft key, placing the subscriber in full duplex comm.lnic~tion~ with the front door visitor and possibly calling up his or her image on a display. Other wireless 5 accessories can provide control over home lightinf~, garage door opening, and security monitoring. Likewise, via appropliate soft key, the handset or other interface device can control televisions, stereo equipment, heating, air con-litinnin~ and appliances.
Baby monitoring via wireless audio monitor and other consumer ele~llonics fiunctil~n~lity are accommodated by the present system, whether or not via the CE-bus.
OPERATION
The four main component parts of systems of the present invention, as disclosed above, are the Network Control Unit 100, Wireless Access Units 200, h~ntl.~ets 300 and Wireless Control / Monitoring Accessories 350. While each component may contain an onboard microcontroller which governs its basic functions, 15 the NCU 100 alone or acting in concert with extemal controller capacity is preferably the principal controller and manager ofthe entire co..,...~nir~tion.~ web. All remote components are preferably simple, reliable and plt;Ç~r~bly of limited intelligence /
functionality for reduced costs and increased modularity and so that system performance and filnrti~m~ are princip~lly detPrmined by the NCU 100. The NCU 100 20 may contain on-line Llllwa~e and/or soIlvvare upgrade capability as tli.~cussed above.
Through this capacity and the centralized intelligence al~ ecl~ Il e of the systems according to present invention, fim~tinning of the entire system can be upgraded, new rea~ es added, sonwar~ bugs repaired and har.l~ale bugs patched, all by downloa~lin~
new L~alt; into the new NCU 100. The majority of the NCU's com~ulel program 25 code is preferably u.~ d in flash, reprogrammable memory. Fh~ ue in remote units are p~,r~.ably implçn ~nted in ROM memory, although not necçss~rily~
The NCU 100 is the central part of the systems' star network topology.
for the entire system, the NCU 100 selects RF ~h~nnPI~ hop sequences if any, andspreading codes if any; it managers ID strings for the various rel..otes, and it performs 30 the other functions related to network m~n~g~n~Pnt remote unit registration a~d a lth~ntication, and co.~ ic~ti( n~ protocol management. The NCU 100 also CA 02255596 l998-ll-l7 ~ WO 98/49850 PCT/US98/04175 controls the switching and interconnection of the CAB 660, and drives all the Accessory Block reaLures of CAB 660. The following ~ ples describe operation of two embodiments of the commlmications webs according to the present invention.

A system according to the present invention is shown in Figure 12 with four incoming POTS lines, an NCU 100 in the b~ement or attic, a wireless h~nd$et, andthree Wireless Access Units 200 which correspond to a telephone, a com~uler, and a fax machine. The system may be prog.~l,cd as follows: POTS line 1 is programmed in the CAB 660 to ring through and connect to the LCD handset 300. POTS line 2 rings through and connect~ to Wireless Access Unit number 1 which is cnnnPcted to a standard tPlçphnne via an RJ-l 1 jack. POTS line 3 cormects to Wireless Access Unit number 2, which, in turn, accomrnodates a fax m~r.hine. POTS line 4 connects to Wireless Access Unit number 3 which connects via RS-232 interface to a personal computer.
Signals from POTS lines 1-4 are coupled to Radio ~llltirlPy Engine 670, ~ mllltirleYed as in TDMA format and modulated onto an RF carrier in RT or digital radio modem 680 for ll~n~ .;.c.ciQn Handset 300 receives the signal from the NCU100, and demod~latee~ dem~ltirlexes and processes the il~.,..A~inn intended for h~nrl~et 300. That infc-rm~tinn is conldined in a signal provided to the intPrf~r.ing 20 ~iir~iui~ly and coder / decoder 650 for delivery to the human interface. The signals are also provided to an LCD driver and screen. In an u~usll~,&m direction, signals from the keypad and microphone are processed, ml-ltipleY~, modulated and forwarded to NCU100 which llltim~tP.ly demodulates, detn..~ )lt e~ and processes the signals for delivery to POTS line 1. Wireless Access Units 1-3 operate generally in a similar manner as far 25 as the RF and mllhirlPYing cir~;ui~ly are conrf~ r(l However, Wireless Access Urlit number 1 conlail.s interface ~,ir~iui~ly adapted to accommndate a standard tPlephonç, inr.hlrlin~, for Px~mrl~, coder / decoder cil~jui~ly, line interface, battery, supervision, and ring generator cil~iuilly which intP.rfaces to an RF-l 1 jack. Wireless Access Unit number 2 intPrface cil~iuil y jntenrled for a fax mar.hinç may be similar or identic~l to 30 Wireless Access Unit number 1.

Wireless Access Unit number 3 is configured with int~ ce cilcuilly to accommodate a RS-232 port rather than an RF- I 1 analog jack. Accordingly, forward error correction, universal as~..clllol1ous receiver / tr~n~mittrr and h~nr~.~h~kin~
cir.;uilly is inr.~ led in con~ )n with RS-232 serial port standards.
If the ~ubscliber desires to el;.. ;l-~te POTS line 4, for .;~;1.. plc, or only to bsl~ il,c to it for a portion of the day, POTS line 3 could be reprograrnmed in the CAB 660 to accomrnodate Wireless Access Unit nurnber 3 for comlJuler CommllniC~tiQn~ while POTS line 2 is configured to ring through to Wireless Access Units 1 and 2 for the telephone and fax m~r.hine Any other co~llbinalion may be 10 employed as desired, as the user desires new services or di~lcnl services, or adds devices to the co....,...i.ic~tions web with their ~tt~n-l~nt Wireless Access Units.

Another system according to the present invention is shown in Figure 13 with two ineomin~ POTS lines and an ISDN line. POTS line 1 is programmed in CAB 660 of Network Control Unit 100 to ring through and connect to LCD handset 300. POTSline 2 is programmed to ring through and connect to Wireless Access Units number 1 and number 2, which in turn connect to the standard telephone and a fax m~r~ine,respectively. The ISDN line is programmed to connect to Wireless Access Unit number 3 and thus to a computer via a serial port. Again, the lines may be pro~l~ed to connect to various h~n~cet~ 300 and Wireless Access Units 200 as needed as the user desires new or ~(ldition~l services or adds other devices. With the existing devices shown in Fig. 13, for in.~t~nre, the user could program CAB 660 to connect POTS line 1 to handset 300 and Wireless Access Units I and 2 in order to~I;."i~ e the second POTS line. Similarly, line 1 could be clç~ien~ted the voice line for connecti- n to handset 300 and Wireless Access Unit number l . Line 1 or Line 2 could also be wired in the Network Tnt~ ce 650 or otherwise to connect directly through to existing wiring as shown in Figure 13.
The ruregoing has been provided for purposes of disclosing various embodiments ofthe present invention. Co.. ,.l~;r~tion.~ webs according to the present 30 invention and their colll~)oncllls and processes may contain various modifications and adaptations, in~ in~ those which employ new standards and modes of imple~ iQn without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Claims (21)

1. A communications web for use by a public switched telecommunications ("PSTN")subscriber. said web comprising:
a. at least one Web Control Unit, said unit in turn comprising:
i. at least one web interface, said interface adapted to be connected to the PSTN, said interface adapted to render the signals from the PSTN compatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to render the upstream signals compatible with the PSTN;
ii. at least one switch adapted to couple signals from each of said at least one analog web interfaces to at least one output, in accordance with control signals provided by a programmable controller;
iii. a programmable controller adapted to control said switch according to the number and types of PSTN connections coupled to said at least one web interface; the number, types and locations of telephones, handsets and other devices serviced by the communications web; and the desires of the subscriber;
iv. multiplex / demultiplex circuitry coupled to said switch and adapted to multiplex downstream signals received from said switch outputs into form compatible for delivery to transceiver circuitry, and to demultiplex upstream signals received from said transceiver circuitry for delivery to said switch;
v. transceiver circuitry adapted to modulate said downstream signals received from said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transmit said signals via RF link, and to demodulate upstream signals received via RF link for delivery to said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry;
b. at least one Wireless Access Unit, said unit comprising:
i. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals for delivery to multiplex / demultiplex circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier m order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;
ii. multiplex / demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from said transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals received from interface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex / demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and iii. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry, render said downstream signals compatible for use by at least one interface of a PSTN-compatible telephony device, and to receive upstream signals from said at least one interface, and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry.

2. A web according to claim 1 further comprising:
a. in said Web Control Unit, at least one web digital interface, said interface adapted to be connected to the PSTN, said interface adapted to render downstream signals from the PSTN compatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to render upstream signals received from said switch compatible with the PSTN; and b. at least one digital Wireless Access Unit, comprising:
i. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals for delivery to multiplex / demultiplex circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;
ii. multiplex / demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from said transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals received from interface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex / demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and iii. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry and render said downstream signals compatible for use by at least one interface of a PSTN-compatible telephony device, and to receive upstream signals from said at least one interface and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry.

3. A web according to claim 1 further comprising at least one handset, said handset comprising:
a. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals for delivery to multiplex /
demultiplex circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said multiplex /
demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;
b. multiplex / demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from said transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals received from interface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex / demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and c. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplex /
demultiplex circuitry, convert said downstream signals to analog and render said downstream signals compatible for use by the subscriber's equipment for delivery to at least a loudspeaker in said handset, and to receive upstream signals from a microphone in said handset. convert said upstream signals to digital and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplex / demultiplex circuitry; and d. a loudspeaker and a microphone coupled to said interface circuitry.

4. A web according to claim 1 in which said Web Control Unit is adapted to be programmed from an external source comprising a service bureau.

5. A web according to claim 1 in which said Web Control Unit is adapted to be programmed from an external source comprising a personal computer.

6. A web according to claim 1 in which said Web Control Unit and said Wireless Access Units are adapted to control power level of power radiated by said transceiver circuitry in order to reduce interference among adjacent webs.

7. A web according to claim 3 in which said Web Control Unit, said handsets and said Wireless Access Units are adapted to control power level of power radiated by said transceiver circuitry in order to reduce interference among adjacent webs.

8. A web according to claim 1 in which Web Control Units of different subscribers are adapted to coordinate with one another to control frequency use and power levels in order to avoid mutual interference.

9. A web according to claim 1 in which the Web Control Unit is adapted to connect to four PSTN analog lines and comprises four analog interfaces, each interface comprising its own analog /digital conversion circuitry.

10. A web according to claim 1 in which the Web Control Unit is adapted to connect to four PSTN analog lines and comprises four analog interfaces, all interfaces sharing a common analog / digital conversion circuitry.

11. A communications web for use by a switched telecommunications infrastructuresubscriber, said web comprising:
a. at least one Web Control Unit, said unit in turn comprising:
i. a plurality of web analog interfaces, each of said interfaces adapted to be connected to the telecommunications infrastructure, at least some of said interfaces adapted to convert analog signals to digital in the downstream direction and render the signals compatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to convert digital signals to analog in the upstream direction for delivery to the telecommunications infrastructure and to render the upstream signals compatible with the telecommunications infrastructure;

ii. switching circuitry adapted to couple signals from each of said at least one web interfaces to at least one output, in accordance with control signals provided by a programmable controller;
iii. a programmable controller adapted to control said switch according to the number and types of telecommunications infrastructure connections coupled to said at least one web interfaces; the number, types and locations of telephones, handsets and other devices serviced by the communications web; and the desires of the subscriber;
iv. circuitry adapted to modulate and multiplex said downstream signals received from said switching circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transmit said signals via RF link. and to demodulate and demultiplex upstream signals received via RF link for delivery to said switching circuitry;
b. at least one analog Wireless Access Unit, said unit comprising:
i. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to interface circuitry, and to multiplex and modulate upstream signals delivered from said interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit;
ii. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry, convert said downstream signals to analog and render said downstream signals compatible for use by at least one interface of a PSTN-compatible telephony device, and to receive upstream signals from said at least one interface, convert said upstream signals to digital and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry;
c. a telephone connected at least one Wireless Access Unit; and d. at least one handset, said handset comprising:
i. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to interface circuitry, and to multiplex and modulate upstream signals delivered from said interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit; and ii. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry, convert said downstream signals to analog and render said downstream signals compatible for use by the subscriber's equipment for delivery to at least a loudspeaker in said handset, and to receive upstream signals from a microphone in said handset, convert said upstream signals to digital and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry; and iii. a loudspeaker, microphone and visual interface coupled to said interface circuitry.

12. A communications web according to claim 11 further comprising at least one digital Wireless Access Unit, comprising:
i. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to interface circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit; and ii. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry and render said downstream signals compatible for use by at least one interface of a PSTN-compatible telephony device, and to receive upstream signals from said at least one interface and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry.

13. A communications web according to claim 12 in which said modulation circuitry is adapted to monitor emissions from other communications webs and vary its output power level and operating frequency accordingly.

14. A communications web according to claim 13 further comprising routing circuitry in said Web Control Unit adapted to connect communications among at least two of the group comprising said Wireless Access Units of said web, handsets and incoming lines connected to the NCU.

15. A communications web according to claim 13 further comprising an accessory module comprising:
a. circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate and demultiplex said downstream signals for delivery to interface circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said interface circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit; and b. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplexing and modulation circuitry and render said downstream signals compatible for use by at least one interface of a PSTN-compatible telephony device, and to receive upstream signals from said at least one interface and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplexing and modulation circuitry; and c. a telephony device adapted to detect and emit electronic signals corresponding to at least one condition in the subscriber's residence, said condition susceptible of being reported via said telephony device over the communications web.

16. A process for connecting a plurality of lines of the public switched telecommunications network ("PSTN") to subscriber equipment comprising the steps of:
a. converting analog signals on a plurality of said PSTN lines to digital;
b. providing said digital signals to a switch adapted to couple signals from said PSTN lines to at least one output;
c. programming said switch to couple each of said PSTN line signals to a desiredoutput in the switch, said programming conducted according to: (I) the number and nature of each of said PSTN lines; (2) the types of subscriber equipment included in the communications web; and (3) the subscriber's preferences.
d. multiplexing said output signals from said switch to create a multiplexed signal;
e. modulating said multiplexed signal onto at least one radiofrequency signal for transmission of said multiplexed signal via radiofrequency link; and f. in each of a plurality of remote units, each receiving said radiofrequency signal;
i. demodulating and demultiplexing said signal;
ii. identifying portions of said demodulated signal intended for said remote unit, said identified portions corresponding to signals on a PSTN line programmed in said switch to be connected to subscriber equipment connected to said remote unit, at least one piece of said subscriber equipment comprising a telephone;
iii. selecting said identified portions and converting said identified portions to analog; and iv. providing said analog signal to a telephony device connected to said at least one remote unit.

17. A process according to claim 16 further comprising the steps of:
a. in each of said remote units:
i. digitizing signals received from said telephony device;
ii. multiplexing and modulating said signals for transmission via radiofrequency link;
b. receiving said transmitted signals from said plurality of remote units in multiplexed format;
c. demodulating and demultiplexing said signals for input to said switch;
d. coupling, in said switch, each of said demultiplexed signals to a PSTN line programmed in said switch to correspond to telephony device from which the information on each of said demultiplexed signals originated.

18. A process according to claim 17 in which the step of programming the switch is conducted remotely of the communications web via the PSTN.

19. A process according to claim 17 in which the step of programming the switch is performed on a computer connected to said communications web.

20. A process according to claim 17 further comprising the steps of:
a. sensing emissions from other communications webs: and b. varying the power level and frequency of said radiofrequency transmissions according to said emissions.

21. A process according to claim 17 further comprising the step of conducting signaling for transmission on the PSTN.