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  Apparatus and method for simultaneous multiple telephone type services on a single telephone lineUSPTO Application #: 20070286187Title: Apparatus and method for simultaneous multiple telephone type services on a single telephone line Abstract: Apparatuses for simultaneous multiple telephone type services on a single telephone line are disclosed. One apparatus is connectable to a subscriber line and comprises address logic, a plain old telephone system (POTS) interface, a transceiver, and a host interface. The address logic is configured to determine an address assigned to the apparatus. The assigned address is unique on the subscriber line. The POTS interface is connectable to the subscriber line and configured to communicate on the subscriber line within a POTS frequency band. The transceiver is connectable to the subscriber line and configured to communicate on the subscriber line using the assigned address and a frequency band higher than a POTS frequency band. The host interface is connectable to a device which receives one of a plurality of services over the subscriber line. The received service uses the assigned address and the frequency band higher than the POTS frequency band. (end of abstract) Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP - Atlanta, GA, US Inventors: Gordon Bremer, Jeff Davis USPTO Applicaton #: 20070286187 - Class: 370389000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Multiplex Communications, Pathfinding Or Routing, Switching A Message Which Includes An Address Header The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070286187. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/086,063, filed on Mar. 22, 2005, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/269,209, filed on Oct. 3, 2002, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,020,266, issued on Mar. 28, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/032,671, filed on Feb. 27, 1998, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,580,785, issued on Jun. 17, 2003, which claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/039,265, filed on Feb. 28, 1997. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for enabling a plurality of analog and digital sets of services that can be utilized simultaneously on a single telephone line. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Presently, telephone companies can offer only one set of analog services to any and all POTS-type devices on each subscriber line wire pair at the premise, because current POTS service requires one (1) line per POTS service set. This is because device types are mutually exclusive, and consequently only one device type can utilize the service line at any one time (i.e. one active telephone, or a single fax operation at a time). A further limitation exists for the telephones, such that all extensions are connected to the same conversation. Presently if multiple sets of services are desired, an additional line is required for each additional set of services. This is most evident in situations like a second loop for a fax machine or a "teen line" to separate parent telephone calls from those of children in a household. There are added costs for each additional line. [0006] Also, telephone companies today cannot command any additional service revenue from the usage of extra phones, modems, and fax operations on a single line. Until now, telephone companies could not offer any extra beneficial sets of service to the premise on a single line. Accordingly, there is a need to develop an apparatus and method to transmit a plurality of data signals in parallel with the analog POTS signal, thereby providing multiple telephone-type sets of services on a single telephone line. [0007] With such an apparatus and method for enabling simultaneous multiple sets of telephone-type services on a single telephone line, the telephone companies can offer numerous sets of services to any/all devices on each wire pair at the premise. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentality's and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. [0009] To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present invention is generally directed to a data communications apparatus and method that allows a user to utilize simultaneously multiple telephone-type services to any/all POTS-type devices on each wire pair at the premise. The present invention provides for the ability to add separately addressable POTS devices on a single service loop. This can be accomplished in at least two ways: first by the use of a multipoint protocol or second by Frequency Division Multiplexing. [0010] One embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this by using a multipoint protocol and providing each premises device with a unique device ID that is separately addressable. [0011] Another embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this by using the frequency division multiplexing (FDM) method, that utilizes a device that assigns an available frequency range, within the bandwidth of the communication medium, for each device that is separately addressable. [0012] Another embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this by using the time division multiplexing (TDM) method, that combines separate signals (i.e. analog and digital) into a single high-speed data transmission in which the transmission time is broken into segments. Each segment carries one element of one signal. The separate signals are sampled in order at regular intervals that are then combined in the single high-speed single. Each time period is then assigned for each device that is separately addressable. The above TDM technique does not provide simultaneous access via connection to phone jacks. The modem apparatus used in this embodiment includes a memory containing a plurality of program routine sequences and a processor that performs the selected program routine sequences to enable the simultaneous multiple access techniques disclosed by the modem described in commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. patent application entitled, "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING VOICE AND DATA BETWEEN A CUSTOMER PREMISES AND A CENTRAL OFFICE", Ser. No. 08/962,796, filed on Nov. 3, 1997, herein incorporated by reference, and the modem described in commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. patent application entitled "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A MULTIPOINT DSL MODEM", Ser. No. 09/031/226 filed on, Feb. 26, 1998, herein incorporated by reference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: [0014] FIG. 1 is a view of the central office (CO) wire centers and user premises layout of the prior art. [0015] FIG. 2 is a view of the CO wire centers and user premises layout of the present invention, with many of the multiple telephone-type services depicted. [0016] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the CO POTS interface and modem apparatuses of FIG. 2. [0017] FIG. 3B is a block diagram of the user premises POTS interface and modem apparatuses of FIG. 2. [0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the digital signal processor engine of FIGS. 3A and 3B. [0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the CO POTS and digital signals splitter of FIG. 2. [0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the packet using the multipoint protocol that provides allows each device to be separately addressable. Continue reading... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for simultaneous multiple telephone type services on a single telephone line Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for simultaneous multiple telephone type services on a single telephone line patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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