Patent ID: 6141682
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A method for communicating between a plurality of information service provider systems (ISPS) and a plurality of customer premise equipment (CPE) by using transmission channels for transmitting information on a downstream communication path from the plurality of ISPS to the plurality of CPE and transmission channels for transmitting requests for information on an upstream communication path from the plurality of CPE to the plurality of ISPS, the method comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of ISPS coupled at one end of the upstream communication path and a plurality of ISPS coupled on the downstream communication path;transmitting a request for information from a requesting one of the plurality of CPE by using one of the transmission channels on the upstream communication path, the request including a type of information to be transmitted;based upon the type of information requested, routing the request for information to one of a selected ISPS coupled upstream or a selected ISPS coupled downstream;receiving the requested information from the one of the selected ISPS coupled upstream or the request for information from the selected ISPS coupled downstream on one of the transmission channels of the downstream communication path at an associated one of a plurality of distribution devices, wherein the associated distribution device serves the requesting CPE;wherein when the associated distribution device receives the request for information, routing the request to and receiving the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled downstream;forming a composite signal which includes the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled upstream and from the selected ISPS coupled downstream; anddistributing the composite signal on one of the transmission channels of the downstream communication path from the associated distribution device to the requesting CPE.