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:
Nov. 23, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2000
Forrest M. Farhan, Alpharetta, GA (US);
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., Lawrenceville, GA (US);
Abstract
A broadband communication system includes headend equipment for transmitting downstream signals and for processing upstream signals and communication devices coupled to one another in a bi-directional ring, where one of the communication devices functions as a hub that is coupled to the headend equipment for providing the upstream signals to, and receiving the downstream signals from, the headend equipment. A clockwise communication path couples the communication devices to one another for the reception and transmission of clockwise-traveling signals that include the downstream signals and at least a portion of the upstream signals, and a counterclockwise communication path couples the communication devices to one another for the reception and transmission of counterclockwise-traveling signals that include the downstream signals and at least a portion of the upstream signals. The system also includes subscriber equipment coupled to the communication devices for receiving the downstream signals and for generating the upstream signals. When a malfunction is detected in one of the communication paths, the functioning path is then employed to transmit the downstream signals to the communication devices that are no longer able to receive the downstream signals via the malfunctioning path.