US 7,073,075 B2 · Telephony end user interface in an HFC access network

Abstract

System (100) and method for providing power supply status indications and network-originated messages on a user device interface (104) of a user device (102) coupled to an access device (110). The access device (110) receives a supply of main power from a main power supply (204), and the access device (110) is adapted to interface with a communications network (111). A backup power supply (206) is coupled to the access device (110) and is adapted to supply backup power to the access device (110) when the supply of main power (214) fails. The backup power supply (206) provides a signal indicating a power condition of the backup power supply (206) when the supply of main power (214) fails. A processor unit (208) receives the signal and generates a backup power supply status indication in response to the signal. At least one user device (102) is coupled to the access device (110) and also is adapted to receive and/or transmit information over the communications network (111) via the access unit (110). The user device (102) receives the backup power supply status indication and the status indication is communicated to a user through a user device interface (104) coupled to the user device (102).

Claims16

Dependent claims

An access device for providing messages to a user device comprising:

a network interface unit having an interface to receive network communications signals and a signal output to provide a first communications signal;
interface circuitry having an input to receive user device communications signals and an output to provide a second communications signal;
a processing unit having a first input coupled to said interface circuitry output. a second input to receive power supply status signals, a storage output to provide control signals and a second output to provide a power supply status indication;
a storage unit having a first input coupled to said network interface unit signal output to receive network-originated messages, said storage unit having a second input coupled to said processing unit storage output to receive said control signals, said storage unit having an output to provide received messages;
and
a line driver having a first input coupled to said network interface unit signal output and a second input coupled to said storage unit output, a third input coupled to said second output of said processing unit, said line driver having a drive output to provide said first communications signal, said received messages and said power supply status indication.

3 more elements

A system for providing a backup power supply status indication to a user device, comprising:

a line driver having a power input to receive power and a network interface to receive communications signals from a communications network;
a backup power supply having a power output coupled to said line driver power input, said backup power supply adapted to supply backup power to said line driver when the supply of main power fails, said backup power supply having a status output to provide a signal indicating a power condition of said backup power supply;
a processor unit having a first input coupled to said backup power supply status output, said processor unit having a first output to provide a backup power supply status indication in response to said signal, said processor unit first output coupled to a second input of said line driver;
a storage unit having a first input to receive messages from said communications network, said storage unit having an output coupled to a third input of said line driver to provide a received message;
and
at least one user device having an input coupled to a drive output of said line driver to receive at least one of the backup power supply status indication and one or more of said received messages.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Telephony end user interface in an HFC access network

Life of this patent

Telephony end user interface in an HFC access network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16