Systems and methods for assigning customers to groups for the transmission of broadband data signals
AssigneeCox Communications, Inc.
InventorJeffrey L. Finkelstein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for assigning customers to groups for the transmission of broadband data signals. Respective linear impairment information for a plurality of customers of a service provider may be determined. Based at least in part upon an analysis of the determined linear impairment information, each of the plurality of customers may be assigned to one of a plurality of groups. The customers assigned to each of the plurality of groups are associated with similar linear impairments. Additionally, for each of the plurality of groups, one or more frequencies at which communications will be output by the service provider for receipt by the customers assigned to the respective group may be determined.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- determining, by a service provider system associated with a service provider and comprising one or more computers, respective linear impairment information for a plurality of customers of the service provider;
- assigning, by the service provider system based at least in part upon an analysis of the determined linear impairment information, each of the plurality of customers to one of a plurality of groups, wherein the customers assigned to each of the plurality of groups are associated with similar linear impairments;
- determining, by the service provider system, for each of the plurality of groups, a range of frequencies at which communications will be output by the service provider for receipt by the customers assigned to the respective group, the determination of the range of frequencies further comprising:
- determining, by the service provider system, for each of the plurality of groups, an approximate amount of linear impairment associated with the respective group;
- determining, by the service provider system, for a first group of the plurality of groups having a first approximate amount of linear impairment, a first range of frequencies based at least in part on the determined amount of linear impairment;
- and
- determining, by the service provider system, for a second group of the plurality of groups having a second approximate amount of linear impairment greater than the first approximate amount, a second range of frequencies based at least in part on the determined amount of linear impairment, wherein the second range of frequencies is lower than the first range of frequencies.
A system comprising:
- at least one communications interface configured to receive, from a plurality of devices associated with customers of a service provider, respective equalization data for each of the plurality of devices;
- and
- at least one processor configured to (i) determine, based at least in part upon the equalization data, respective linear impairment information for each of the plurality of devices, (ii) assign, based at least in part upon an analysis of the determined linear impairment information, each of the plurality of devices to one of a plurality of groups, wherein the devices assigned to each of the plurality of groups are associated with similar linear impairments, (iii) determine, for each of the plurality of groups, a range of frequencies at which communications will be output by the service provider for receipt by the devices assigned to the respective group, the determination of the range of frequencies further comprising:
- determining, for each of the plurality of groups, an approximate amount of linear impairment associated with the respective group;
- determining, for a first group of the plurality of groups having a first approximate amount of linear impairment, a first range of frequencies based at least in part on the determined amount of linear impairments;
- and determining, for a second group of the plurality of groups having a second approximate amount of linear impairment greater than the first approximate amount, a second range of frequencies based at least in part on the determined amount of linear impairment, wherein the second range of frequencies is lower than the first range of frequencies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.