The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 04, 2001
Filed:
May. 01, 1997
Joel I. Javitt, Hillside, NJ (US);
AT&T Corp., New York, NY (US);
Abstract
Free-space, line-of-sight, electro-magnetic communication (i.e., via light or microwaves) is employed to provide a wide range of communication services to geographically scattered users. A relay point or end point is typically associated with each user. Each relay point receives and retransmits information via line-of-sight communication. The end points are also receivers and transmitters of information via line-of-sight communication. Although spaced from one another, the relay and end points are close enough to one another to communicate via line-of-sight links. Hard-wired connections to the users are therefore unnecessary. Broadcast radio frequency communication capability may be provided as a backup for maintaining at least some service in the event of line-of-sight communication failure or interruption. This radio capability may additionally be used to provide cellular communication service to small cells associated with the relay and end points.