US 5,706,048 A · Wireless digital data access system and method

Abstract

A communication system includes a high data capacity microwave link in the millimeter band. A defined frequency band is segmented allowing for direct video transmission in a first segment while at the same time achieving full duplex operation within a second segment. The system provides a wide variety of data and video services including two-way video communication and data transfer, direct broadcast video, video teleconferencing, video library access and telephony. A subscriber transmits a request for custom video, a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real time asymmetrical data download. The hub allocates the appropriate bandwidth necessary for the service and assigns a carrier frequency and time-slot to the subscriber. The hub retrieves the appropriate video or data and transmits it to the subscriber, or establishes a data link between the subscriber and a data network.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for communicating over a segmented frequency band having first and second adjacent segments, said first segment for continuous video transmission and said second segment for two-way communication, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting, to a subscriber station, continuous video data in said first segment;
(b) receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment;
(c) assigning a frequency channel of said second segment to said subscriber unit in response to said first data;
and
(d) transmitting second data to said subscriber station over said frequency channel of said second segment in response to said first data,
wherein step (a) is performed during the performance of steps (b) (c), and (d).

3 more elements

(a) transmitting, to a subscriber station, continuous video data in said first segment;
(b) receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment;
and
(c) transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data,
wherein step (a) is performed during the performance of steps (b) and (c),
wherein the receiving step includes the step of receiving said first data from said subscriber station wherein said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download,
wherein said first segment is comprised of first, and second video subbands said second segment is comprised of first and second data subbands, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
(a1) transmitting, by a first communication hub to a first subscriber station, said continuous video data in said first video subband, said first subscriber station located in a first geographic region being served by said first communication hub;
(a2) transmitting, by a second communication hub to a second subscriber station, said continuous video data in said second video subband, said second subscriber station located within a second geographic region being served by said second communication hub;
(b1) receiving said first data from said first subscriber station in said first data subband;
(b2) receiving third data from said second subscriber station in said second data subband;
(c1) transmitting, by said first communication hub to said first subscriber station, said second data in said first data subband in response to said first data;
and
(c2) transmitting, by said second communication hub to said second subscriber station, fourth data in said second data subband in response to said third data,
wherein said first and third data include a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download.

12 more elements

(a) transmitting, to a subscriber station, continuous video data in said first segment;
(b) receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment;
and
(c) transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data,
wherein step (a) is performed during the performance of steps (b) and (c),
wherein said second segment is time division multiplexed and includes receive and transmit time-slots, and wherein:
the receiving step includes the step of receiving, from said subscriber station, channel assignment requests in said second segment,
the method further comprises the step of assigning said subscriber station at least one of said receive time-slots of said second segment in response to said first data, and
step (c) includes the step of transmitting said second data to said subscriber station wherein said subscriber station receives said second data during said receive time-slots.

6 more elements

A communication system that provides continuous video transmission and two-way data communication between a subscriber station and a communication hub within a frequency band, said frequency band having a first segment for said continuous video transmission, and a second adjacent segment for said two-way data communication, said system comprising:

a receiver for receiving first data from said subscriber station in said second segment,
a transmitter for transmitting continuous video data in said first segment, and transmitting second data to said subscriber station in said second segment in response to said first data;
and
means for receiving said first data from said subscriber station wherein said first data includes a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download,
wherein said first segment is comprised of first, and second video subbands said second segment is comprised of first and second data subbands, and wherein the communication system further comprises:
means for transmitting, by a first communication hub to a first subscriber station, said continuous video data in said first video subband, said first subscriber station located in a first geographic region being served by said first communication hub;
means for transmitting, by a second communication hub to a second subscriber station, said continuous video data in said second video subband, said second subscriber station located within a second geographic region being served by said second communication hub;
means for receiving said first data from said first subscriber station in said first data subband;
means for receiving third data from said second subscriber station in said second data subband;
means for transmitting, by said first communication hub to said first subscriber station, said second data in said first data subband in response to said first data;
and
means for transmitting, by said second communication hub to said second subscriber station, fourth data in said second data subband in response to said third data,
wherein said first and third data include a request for either a custom video transmission, establishment of a real-time two-way data link, or a non-real-time asymmetrical data download.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless digital data access system and method

Life of this patent

Wireless digital data access system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20