Method and system for increasing subscriber line interface circuit voltage during ringing

#This invention relates, generally, to communication networks and, more particularly, providing increased voltage at a telecommunications Subscriber Line Interface Circuit (“SLIC”), during ringing.

#In a plain old telephone service (“POTS”) system, a telephone is designed to receive a “ring” signal, typically an AC wave at 20 hertz (Hz) of approximately 40 V RMS, when it is supposed to ring. It will be appreciated that other ring voltages are often used that fall within a range equal to or greater than 40 V RMS. The ringing signal is/was traditionally sent along the twisted pair telephone wire that connects an individual telephone to the telephony network. A typical telephone still uses the higher ring signal voltage, even if the telephony communications are transmitted along non-traditional pathways, such as, for example, community antennae television (“CATV”) coaxial cable, optical fiber cable, or any other network technology that transmits communications signals. When one of these technologies is used, a telephone is typically connected to a line card that provides an interface between the telephone and the communications network. Such a line card typically contains subscriber line interface circuitry (“SLIC”) that is designed to translate a signal from the network protocol to the traditional telephony protocol. A node within the line card circuitry may be maintained at a constant 90-95 V level, and when an instruction to ring is received, the 90-95 V source is directed to the telephone in accordance with a predetermined waveform shape. Thus, when a line card receives a signal that instructs it to cause a telephone connected thereto to ring, it generates a ringing signal of about approximately 40 V RMS, or equal to or greater than 40 V RMS as discussed above, having a waveform shape similar to the waveform of a traditional telephony signal.

#A line card may be part of a subscriber's premise equipment (“SPE”) device inside a consumer's home. To deliver power to the SPE, a typical household AC power supply may be used that provides AC current in the range of between approximately 105 V and 230 V. In order to facilitate compatibility with different styles of power outlets and powering schemes, the power supply conductor, or cord, may be terminated with a two prong plug that works in either a two prong receptacle or a three prong receptacle.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a system that provides telephony services, as well as television programming, via a CATV network.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a line card's components that generate a high voltage signal during ringing.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram for providing a transient high voltage ringing signal.

#As a preliminary matter, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many methods, embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the following description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.

#Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The following disclosure is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof. Furthermore, while some aspects of the present invention are described in detail herein, no specific conductor type, integrated circuit, discrete component, connector, enclosure, circuit board arrangement, capacitor or resistor value, or fuse rating, for example, is required to be used in the practicing of the present invention. Indeed, selection of such parts and components would be within the routine functions of a designer skilled in the art.

#Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a system 2 for providing telephony services, as well as television programming, to an end user via a CATV network 4. A head end 6 acts as a central office for directing signals, including telephony signals, over network 4. Such signals may be received at subscriber premises equipment (“SPE”) device 8 outside a user's home or office, for example. SPE 8 may determine how to route the signal based on the information type of signal, e.g., a television signal or a telephony signal. If the information signal contains television content, the signal may routed to television 10 as a standard CATV signal. If, however, the signal contains telephony information, the signal is routed to line card device 12 for further processing.