Alcatel USA

David Ehreth

A video communications system (,) includes a communications controller (,) that interfaces with a broadband/narrowband network (,) to distribute video signals to a plurality of remote sites (,) in a multi-site location (,). Each remote site (,) includes a channel selector and signaling unit (,) and at least one television set (,). A user enters user input information into a remote selector (,) for processing by the channel selector and signaling unit (,). The channel selector and signaling unit (,) sends the user input information to the communication controller (,) over a video signal distribution network (,) at an upstream frequency selected at a user selectable setting (,). The communication controller (,) responds by modulating the desired video information onto a downstream frequency for transmission to the television set (,) on the video signal distribution network (,). Each remote site (,) has a separate upstream frequency and downstream frequency to allow for independent control of each television set (,).

Method and system for communicating video signals to a plurality of television sets

A subscriber terminal (,) within a business/residence (,) is in communications with a telecommunications network (,) through a fiber optic connection (,) to an optical network unit (,). Telephony signals are transmitted to and from the subscriber terminal to a user through a cordless telephone handset (,). During normal operation, the cordless telephone handset (,) operates in a cordless mode, passing telephony signals to a subscriber terminal telephone antenna (,) for transmission on the fiber optic connection (,). In the event of a power outage at the business/residence (,), the cordless telephone handset (,) switches to a wireless mode in order to continue to provide telephony communications. In the wireless mode, telephony communications are provided from the cordless telephone handset (,) to the telecommunications network (,) through a wireless telephone provider (,).

Fiber optic based subscriber terminal

A subscriber terminal (22) within a business/residence (32) is in communications with a telecommunications network (12) through a fiber optic connection (33) to an optical network unit (20). Telephony signals are transmitted to and from the subscriber terminal to a user through a cordless telephone handset (26). During normal operation, the cordless telephone handset (26) operates in a cordless mode, passing telephony signals to a subscriber terminal telephone antenna (24) for transmission on the fiber optic connection (33). In the event of a power outage at the business/residence (32), the cordless telephone handset (26) switches to a wireless mode in order to continue to provide telephony communications. In the wireless mode, telephony communications are provided from the cordless telephone handset (26) to the telecommunications network (12) through a wireless telephone provider (14).

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Santa Rosa, CA, United States of America

David Ehreth