Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications Ser. Nos. 60/744,195 filed Apr. 3, 2006 and 60/744,274 filed Apr. 4, 2006, the contents of which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     One aspect of this invention relates in general to a telecommunication system for transmitting over a frequency spectrum, comprising transmission bandwidths that carry signals such as, video, audio, data and other services, over twisted pairs of telephone wires. The system further provides for the dynamic assignment and management of frequency bands of spectrum over twisted pair telephone wires. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An issue that often arises in communication systems is maintaining sufficient transmission bandwidth to satisfy quality of service (“QoS”) requirements. These challenges are accentuated in instances where unshielded twisted pairs telephone lines (“twisted pair links”) are employed in such systems. Moreover, such signals rapidly degrade when transmitted over a twisted pair links of meaningful length. However, given the existence of twisted pair links in many buildings and communication networks and the cost associated with alternative links and/or retrofitting existing twisted pair links with alternative links, it is desirable to transmit such signals over twisted pair links for a variety of applications, including video communication systems. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that provides a means to use twisted pair links for high data bandwidth applications. 
     Such need is fueled, in part, by the recent explosion in demand for full real time motion video, high resolution images, and defined quality of services that have also ignited heretofore inexperienced demand for broadband spectrums. While existing phone systems nominally pass voice signals between 0.3 and 3.4 kHz, twisted pair links are capable of carrying frequencies well beyond such 3.4 kHz upper limit. In certain twisted pair links, the upper limit can be tens of megahertz, depending on the length and quality of the wire. 
     Previously and currently known technologies have attempted to quench demands with near broadband services, such as DSL and related technologies, that provide digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. However, DSL employs a “fixed” frequency allocation according to DSL provider specifications. For example, DSL allocates a finite set of frequency bands for uplink and downlink above the 3.4 kHz upper limit. Another problem with DSL is that signals passing over twisted pair links deteriorate rapidly and unevenly across frequency spectrum with increasing length of the twisted pair communication wire. 
     Other previously and currently known technologies employ fully digital services, such as E1/T1, in an attempt to satisfy the aforementioned demands for bandwidth. However, fully digital services are often cost prohibitive in that they often require additional voltage, wiring, special equipment at each end of the line and line, and conditioning to prepare for digital only service. 
     There has not heretofore been employed a cost effective and efficient method and apparatus for dynamically allocating frequency to meet the above and other needs. Moreover, there has not heretofore been employed a technology that provides for high bandwidth transmissions over twisted pair links presently forming the backbone of the local telephone infrastructure in the United States other countries. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes multiple objectives and methods and apparatus for satisfying same. The appended claims are directed to certain of such objectives, methods, and apparatus. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements that provide satisfactory transmission bandwidth for video, audio, and data applications over communication links, including links that use unshielded twisted pairs. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus that provides sufficient transmission bandwidth over twisted pair links, where such twisted pair links span distances typically found in building and/or last mile applications. 
     An even further object of the invention is to employ a converter means that interconnects twisted pair links with digital data processing devices. Preferably, such converter also interconnects such devices with a plurality of alternative carriers such as optical, T1 and wireless links. As such, a digital to analog (“D/A”) or analog to digital (“A/D”) converter  150  is employed. The converter  150  is configured to accept a digital signal and convert it to analog, or vice versa. 
     Another object of the invention optimizes transmission bandwidth between multiple nodes. The nodes may be configured with and employ means for modulating an analog carrier signal over twisted pair links at, preferably, high frequency bandwidths. Each node may be configured with and employ means for demodulating analog carrier signals to decode the transmitted information. 
     Another object of the invention is to enable high transmission bandwidths over a significant distance of twisted pair links by employing corrective circuitry. As such, corrective circuitry is operably coupled to the twisted pair links. Upon receipt of an analog signal, the circuitry is configured to ameliorate degradation in the received signal by imposing a correcting impedance associated with the twisted pair link. 
     Another object of the present invention to provide improvements that provide satisfactory transmission bandwidth by dynamically assigning frequency bands for transmission over twisted pair links operably coupled with correcting circuitry. 
     To achieve some of the foregoing objectives, there is provided central premise equipment (“CPE”)  100  in home and office locations with correcting circuitry. CPE  100  operates independent of, and/or in combination with, previously deployed central office and manhole correcting circuitry. The term communications device, as used herein, is used broadly and may incorporate one or more than one CPE  100 , which may be configured with a variety of functionality, including all or a portion of equipment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . For example, by employing the automatic corrective circuitry, CPE  100  maintains all available bandwidths between remote CPEs  100  and/or a central office hub (not shown). This capability allows broadband signals to be transmitted over significant lengths while meeting aforementioned bandwidth and other demands. 
     The present invention further improves upon current and previously known technologies by deploying a frequency management module (“FMM”)  300  in CPE  100 . FMM  300  is preferably an operating system independent software application configured to receive an analog signal and dynamically manage and assign new frequency spectrum for video, audio, data and other services. Upon receiving such signals, FMM  300  dynamically allocates a new frequency for the signal based upon frequency configuration settings known to or determined by FMM  300 . FMM  300  also causes the signal to modulate over a communications link at a newly allocated frequency. The spectoral range of the newly allocated frequency is selectively or automatically chosen by FMM  300  based on the type of service(s), gauge, length and quality of the outgoing twisted pair link. Thus, the present invention provides a means to create and manage more usable channels, which equates to more available bandwidth. 
     By way of example, the present invention enables a user to employ FMM  300  as an alternative to using the Internet to upload a large document using File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”), a process that may take a great deal of time using presently known technologies. FMM  300  may allocate a band of new frequencies and transmit the document information by modulating a frequency or frequencies in such band over twisted pair links to a remote CPE  100 . Upon receipt of the signal, the remote CPE  100  employs correcting circuitry to reconstruct any signal degradation. Furthermore, if the signal is addressed to the receiving CPE  100 , FMM  300  resolves frequency information to recover the uploaded document. If the signal is not addressed to the receiving CPE  100 , FMM  300  reallocates the compensated signal into a new spectrum for further transmission along twisted pair links. 
     To achieve the foregoing objects including high bandwidth transmission and reception, one aspect of the invention employs a CPE  100  device having a transmitter, receiver, compensator, and FMM  300 . The transmitter modulates analog signals in a newly assigned frequency spectrum over a twisted pair links. The receiver decodes a received analog signal from frequency spectrum. The compensator corrects signal degradation resulting from the physical properties of the twisted pair. FMM  300  preferably allocates frequency spectrums from 0 to preferably 20 megahertz for transmission of signals and manages signals of the same frequency. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the present invention deploys more than one CPE  100  devices. Each CPE  100  is operably configured with a transmitter  120  for transmitting signals in an analog format over an assigned frequency spectrum. Each CPE  100  also has a receiver for receiving signals in an analog format over an assigned frequency spectrum on a twisted pair link. Furthermore, each CPE  100  uses a FMM  300  to assign discrete bands of frequency spectrum for different communication signals such as video, voice, and data. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, FMM  300  automatically assigns compensation factors to the correcting circuitry. FMM  300  computes compensation factors based upon known or computed impedance quantums associated with a twisted pair link. However, users and/or administrators can also input compensation factors via a graphical user interface. Control signals may also update FMM  300  with compensation factors. CPEs  100  operated by administrators transmit control signals to client CPEs  100  when the client CPE  100  is first configured. 
     Upon receiving a compensated signal, FMM  300  dynamically allocates and reallocates frequency spectra for the received signals according to data transmission requirements and communication protocols including, for example, TCP/IP, NTSC, High-definition television (“HDTV”), Séquentiel Couleur à Mémoire (“SÉCAM”), Phase Alternating Line (“PAL”), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP”), etc. A protocol manager in FMM  300  may store and selectively retrieve the rules associated with each of such transmission requirements and communication protocols when allocating new spectrum. The protocol manager may also provide for simultaneous support of each of such requirements and protocols when allocating new spectrum. 
     A system thus may employ the foregoing unique combination including the combination of dynamic frequency allocation and correcting circuitry for twisted pair links to take advantage of all available bandwidths for signal transmissions. More particularly, the system provides a combination of means for compensating signal degradation, and means for dynamically allocating frequencies and enabling high bandwidth signals for transmission over great spans of twisted pair links. 
     The foregoing has broadly outlined certain objectives, features, and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention is described hereinafter, which form the subject of certain claims of the invention. It should be appreciated that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages is better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that such description and figures are provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. For example, although the example embodiments discussed herein are directed to communication, security and home office subsystems, it should be specifically noted that frequency allocation means, correcting circuitry means, as defined herein, may be employed to carry out the functions of several other subsystem applications including, without limitation, fire, safety, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, television, access controls, audio visual, plant equipment, communications, robotics, imaging, and medical sensor systems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first exemplary architecture of a CPE; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a second exemplary architecture of a CPE; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary architecture of an expanded view of the dynamic allocation of spectrum means that may be used by a CPE; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary frequency management allocation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved telecommunication system, improved components of such a system, and improved transmission bandwidth for video, audio, and data content exchange. In contrast to known systems, the present invention expands the usefulness of existing and more economically desirable communication links, such as twisted pair links. Moreover, the present invention provides methods that expand the usefulness of such links. While the preferred embodiment is explained in the context of twisted pair links, one of ordinary skill would appreciate that the invention may utilize alternative links such as shielded twisted pair, screened shielded twisted pair, and screened unshielded twisted pair (and any other variant of a twisted pair). 
     The improved telecommunication system is discussed in detail below including dynamic allocation of spectrum, command and control systems, and specific embodiments of such improvements. 
     Dynamic Allocation of Spectrum 
     As noted above, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for regenerating degraded signals and dynamically allocating new frequency bands for specific categories of communication signals to enable high bandwidth transmissions over twisted pair links. As such, corrective circuitry  130  and FMM  300  are deployed in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     In general, corrective circuitry  130  and FMM  300  are operably coupled within a single device, referred to hereinafter as the Central Premise Equipment  100 . Reference is made below to CPE  100 . 
     Central Premise Equipment  100   
     CPE  100  may be deployed as an electronic set top box positioned within a home, office building, central office, or other remote facility accessible to system users or administrators. CPE  100  employs corrective circuitry  130  in order to reconstruct degraded signals received over twisted pair links. CPE  100  also employs FMM  300  in order to make use of available transmission bandwidth on twisted pair links by dynamically allocating frequency bands for use by specific categories of communication signals, preferably, ranging from 0 to 20 megahertz. In one embodiment, FMM  300  dynamically allocates frequency bands of at least 4.5 megahertz. 
     CPE  100  comprises an analog section and a digital section. The analog section includes input and output ports for twisted pair links, corrective circuitry  130 , and one or more buffers  140 . The digital section includes of one or more converters  150 , WAN  230  and/or LAN  240 , microprocessors  160  adopted to provide FMM  300  functionality, and serial ports  170 . Reference to the analog and digital sections and its components is made below. 
     Analog Section 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the analog section of CPE  100  includes a physical interface for connecting CPE  100  to the local telephone network&#39;s twisted pair infrastructure. The physical interface may be an RJ11 port or other link suitable for terminating CPE  100  and twisted pair telephone infrastructure, including RJ14, RJ25, RJ61, and others. Preferably, the physical interface provides coupling of more than one twisted pair link. Each twisted pair link provides a channel for transmitting electric signals. Each twisted pair link comprises a receiver  110  and transmitter  120 . Receiver  110  is interconnected, respectively, with wires  111 . Similarly, transmitter  120  is interconnected, respectively, with wires  121 . By way of example, preferably a plurality of wires  111  and  112  may be bundled together in Channels  200 . Receiver  110  and transmitter  120  may be optionally coupled as a single transceiver, such transceiver preferably receives two wire twisted pair, one wire used for transmission, and one wire used for reception. 
     Analog signals are received by CPE  100  on the receiver  100  and transmitted out from CPE  100  on transmitter  120 . Upon receiving a signal over the physical interface, CPE  100  reconstructs the original information in the signal. CPE  100  employs correcting circuitry  130  in order to reconstruct degraded signals received over twisted pair links. Corrective circuitry  130  is described in the next section. 
     Corrective Circuitry  130   
     Preferred embodiments of the improved telecommunication system employ corrective circuitry  130  to compensate for degradation of analog signal in twisted pair links to enable high bandwidth transmissions over great spans of such links. In general, corrective circuitry  130  operably couples with twisted pair links which presently form the backbone of telephone systems in the United States and many other countries. Corrective circuitry  130  enables transmission of frequencies ranging from 0 to 20 megahertz over distances of 6,000 feet over unshielded twisted pair links without repeaters. 
     Corrective circuitry  130  of the preferred embodiment enables simultaneous and bidirectional transmission of signals over twisted pair links. The circuitry also supports both high bandwidth analog and digital signal transmission and reception, including full motion color video with voice and/or data content. Corrective circuitry  130  also accommodates full duplex video channels and additional voice grade channels over the twisted pair link. Corrective circuitry  130  provides an effective alternative for the transmission of high bandwidth analog signals wherever twisted pair links exist, without the need for installation of new communication link infrastructure and expensive line condition equipment. 
     Operation of corrective circuitry  130  reconstructs degraded signals received over a twisted pair link. Signal degradation is the loss of quality of an electronic signal, caused by several factors in the time domain and in the physical domain of an electronic signal, including drift, crosstalk, and aging effect. Corrective circuitry  130  of the present invention employs means to achieve desired circuit characteristics, such as matched transmission levels, matched impedances, and equalization for changing the frequency envelope of a sound. Corrective circuitry  130  may also employ means to improve data transmission, such as equalization of the insertion-loss-vs.-frequency characteristic. When twisted pair links do not employ the aforementioned corrective circuitry  130  means, electrical signals deteriorate as they pass over distances of the twisted pair link and information carried by such signals is not reliably reconstructed. 
     Examples of corrective circuitry  130  are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,528,286, 5,283,637, and 6,064,422, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Examples of corrective circuitry  130  are described in the &#39;286 and &#39;637 patents in columns 11-18 and is further described in the &#39;422 patent in columns 8-10. 
     An example of corrective circuitry  130  employed in one embodiment of the present invention compensates for the impedance of a twisted pair link. Such corrective circuitry amplifies and impedance matches analog signal on a twisted pair wire. Portions of the corrective circuit  130  provide an offsetting impedance to the received analog signal. Such offsetting or compensating impedance is preferably proportional and in vectoral opposition to the impedance of the twisted pair link to negate the effects of the impedance on the signal. Preferably, corrective circuitry  130  dynamically matches such impedance, without the need for operator intervention. The output signal from corrective circuitry  130  is a reconstructed analog signal. 
     Another example of corrective circuitry  130  employed by the invention measures the attenuation of lower frequency components of the signal to compute the length of the twisted pair link over which the received signal was traveled. The corrective circuitry  130  also compares the low frequency components of the received attenuated signal with the known signal level to compute a compensation factor. Corrective circuitry  130  applies greater signal amplification in higher frequency portions than in the lower frequency portions due to greater loss occurring in higher frequency portions of the twisted pair. The signal is thereupon reconstructed. 
     The aforementioned circuitry provides a non-exhaustive list of exemplary corrective circuitry  130  that operably couples to the twisted pair for reconstructing a received degraded analog signal, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Corrective circuitry  130  optionally couples with a switching network  210 , which is discussed in the next section. 
     Switching Network  210   
     In one embodiment, a switching network  210  terminates receiver  110  and transceiver  120  with corrective circuitry  130 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of switching network  210  connects as many  16  channels  200  of receivers  110  and transmitters  120 . Switching network  210  enables CPE  100  to send and/or receive signals at any given time. Switching network  210  enables CPE  100  to employ different mediums of networking, including optical, laser, Ethernet, Fiber, ATM, and 802.11. By way of example, switching network  210  may receive/transmit information signals on twisted pair links and transmit/receive such information signals over alternative mediums of networks. 
     In addition, switching network  210  may be coupled with microprocessor  160  so that a received signal can be treated by FMM  300 , which is shown within microprocessor  160 . By way of example, switching network  210  may provide commands to FMM  300  that define frequency allocation. Switching network  210  also receives analog signals from the digital section&#39;s converter  150  upon remodulation of spectrum over the physical interface. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , switching network  210  is operably coupled to corrective circuitry  130  (described above), to enable transmission of frequencies of desired bandwidths over twisted pair links connected with switching network  210 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , buffer or isolation means  140  interconnects corrective circuitry  130  with converter  150  and microprocessor  160  which includes FMM  300 . Buffer  140  is described in the following section. 
     Buffers  140   
     Buffer  140  is an electrical component, such as a circuit, that isolates corrective circuitry  130  from converter  150 . Buffer  140  is located between corrective circuitry  130  and converter  150  and is used to interconnect the two components. 
     Buffer  140  is optionally a flow control means for delaying the transit time of a signal in order to allow operations in converter  150  to occur. Electronic temporary storage means in buffer  140  store the signal for a period of time as it passes from corrective circuitry  130  to converter  150 , (alternatively through multiplexer  220 ) as such components may have different speeds for handling and/or processing signals. Buffer  140  retransmits a stored signal at approximately the rate converter  150  demodulates the signal. Buffer  140  is optionally coupled with multiplexer  220 , which is discussed below. 
     Multiplexer  220   
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , multiplexer  220  is adopted to receive signals from any of buffers  140  and/or converter  150  and select among available twisted pair link transmitters  120  for transmission of analog signals. Multiplexer  220 , shown operably coupled to microprocessor  160 , selects among available twisted pair transmitters  120  and receivers  110  of channels  200  when transmitting and receiving analog signals. Multiplexer  220  selects among such channels  200  based upon input from microprocessor  160 . For example, upon receiving a signal from buffer  140  over selected first receiver  100  of channels  200 , multiplexer  220  transmits the signal to converter  150 . Converter  150  thereupon transmits the signal to microprocessor  160 , which processes the signal with FMM  300  (further discussed below). Microprocessor  160  then selects a second transmitter  120  from one of the available transmitters  120  in channels  200  and configures multiplexer  220  to transmit the analog signal over the second transmitter  120 . Microprocessor  160  transmits the signal back to converter  150 , which thereupon transmits the signal back to multiplexer  220 . Now configured, multiplexer  220  transmits the signal over the selected second transmitter  120 . 
     Multiplexer  220  operably couples the with the converter  150 , which is part of CPE&#39;s  100  digital section. Reference to the digital section and its components are made in the following sections. 
     Digital Section 
     The typical components and architecture of the digital section are discussed herebelow including: converter  150 , WAN  230  and LAN  240 , microprocessor  160 , and FMM  300 . 
     Converter  150   
     Similar to a traditional modem, converter  150  interconnects analog twisted pair links with digital data processing devices. As such, converter  150  handles both incoming and outgoing transmissions. Converter  150  also sends and receives digital signals to and from microprocessor  160 . 
     When transmitting digital signals, converter  150  employs techniques to encode the digital bits into analog signals based upon specified protocols. The protocols are either preset, automatically, or manually specified. The protocols define the methods of encoding and the data transfer speed. The converter  150  supports a plurality of protocols, such as TCP/IP. 
     CPEs  100  establish connections with one another based upon common protocols. CPEs  100  also employ proprietary protocols so that only CPEs  100  supporting the same proprietary protocol can establish connections. 
     When an analog signal is received at converter  150  on a twisted pair link, converter  150  demodulates the signal into digital signals for further treatment by microprocessor  160  and FMM  300 . Converter  150  also receives digital signals over WAN  230  and LAN  240 . Upon receiving digital signals from the connected WAN  230  and LAN  240  networks, converter  150  also forwards the signals to microprocessor  160 . WAN  230  and LAN  240  networks support Ethernet connections. 
     In another embodiment, converter  150  is adopted to receive an optical signal over a fiber optical cable (not shown). Upon receiving such a signal, converter  150  thereupon converts such signal into a digital format for treatment by microprocessor  160 . One example of a means for converting optical signal to a digital signal format is a transponder (not shown). Transponders are adopted to receive an optical signal and convert such signal into an analog format and, following such conversion, convert the analog signal into a digital format. 
     WAN  230  and LAN  240   
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , converter  150  receives digital signals over WAN  230  and LAN  240 . LAN  240  and WAN  230  support the IEEE 802.3 standard (e.g. the Ethernet protocol). WAN  230  and LAN  240  connect CPE  100  through a Uniform Serial Bus (“USB”), twisted pair, coaxial cable, serial, parallel or other suitable physical interface. Accordingly, CPE  100  supports Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (“CSMA/CD”) Media Access Control (“MAC”), so that CPE  100  can interoperate with interconnected nodes of WAN  230  or LAN  240 . 
     Depending upon the information in the signal, such as the target recipient&#39;s address, microprocessor  160  causes a signal from LAN  240  or WAN  230  to transmit or retransmit over the twisted pair links of the telephone infrastructure. Microprocessor  160  is discussed below. 
     Microprocessor  160   
     Microprocessor  160  receives digital signals from converter  150 . Microprocessor  160  is a programmable digital electronic component that functions as a central processing unit (“CPU”) for CPE  100 . Upon receiving a signal, microprocessor  160  performs FMM  300  functionality. 
     In one embodiment, microprocessor  160  selects transmitters  120  and receivers  110  from one of the available transmission  120  and receivers  110  in channels  200  and configures multiplexer  220  to transmit and receive signals based upon such selection. 
     Frequency Management Module—FMM  300   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , FMM  300  consists of three logical blocks: Frequency Spectrum Assignment (“FSA”)  310 , Protocol Allocation (“PA”)  320 , and Graphical Configuration Interface (“CGI”)  330 . 
     In general, FMM  300  is software preferably residing on the application layer of an operating system. FMM  300  is preferably interoperable with a variety of operating systems, such as Linux and Windows CE. In addition, FMM  300  assigns frequency according to configuration instructions provided to CPE  100 . Users and network administrators dynamically control CPE  100  and supply configuration information to manage spectrum usage in a way that optimizes available bandwidth over twisted pair links depending upon the range a signal will travel over twisted pair, the physical properties of twisted pair, and service demands of each user. 
     Frequency Spectrum Assignment  310   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , FSA  310  is a sub-module of FMM  300 . An object of this sub-module is to allocate discrete frequency bands, such as those in  FIG. 4 . Another object of the spectrum assignment block is to provide compensation factors to corrective circuitry  130 . A further object of FSA  310  is to control the range of frequencies allocated in the spectrum to various video  450 , audio  430 , and data  460  signals, among others. 
     Accordingly, based upon CPE&#39;s  100  spectrum assignment settings of 0 to 20 megahertz, as shown in  FIG. 4 , FSA  310  assigns service categories into discrete frequency bands. Control signals are employed to initially configure frequency allocation assignments for service categories. Control signals define routing table information so that the signals reach the targeted recipient. 
     In an example embodiment, control signals are transmitted over a channel in reserved band  410 . An example control signal specifies video signal for broadcast in video band  410  ranging from 0 to 4.5 megahertz. Once assigned, FSA  310  directs converter  150  to modulate NTSC signals over the twisted pair link in the specified frequency range. In instances when multiple CPEs  100  exist remotely from one another, at least one of such remote CPEs  100  receives the newly allocated spectrum and demodulates such spectrum at the specified frequencies to resolve NTSC frequency information. 
     In another example embodiment, channels reserved for specific protocol are assigned frequencies in reserved band  410 .  FIG. 4  illustrates reserved band  410  ranging from approximately 7.5 megahertz to 9 megahertz.  FIG. 4  also illustrates guardband  420  between reserved band  410  and audio band  430 , and between audio band  430  and data band  460 , and between data band  460  and video band  450 . Guardbands  420  are provided to eliminate undesired capacitive, inductive, or conductive coupling from channels within the allocated frequency bands, to another (e.g., cross talk). 
     In yet another example embodiment, CPE  100  devices are preset with frequency assignment information. However, upon configuration, frequency assignment information is updated. For example, if a CPE  100  is preconfigured to receive control signals at 15 megahertz in special application band  440 , when a CPE  100  first connects to the system (not shown), CPE  100  receives frequency control information at 15 megahertz in special application band  440 . FSA  310  receives demodulated 15 megahertz frequency signal to extract new frequency assignment information. CPE  100  settings are thereupon updated with frequency assignment information. By automatic or manual configuration, CPE  100  thereby adopts itself to receive and resolve signals with other CPEs  100  in the system. 
     Frequency assignment information is stored in log file at CPE  100  and accessed when allocating new spectrum. An entry in this file, for example, would be the allocation shown in  FIG. 4 : Video band 0-4.5 megahertz; Guardband 4.5-5 megahertz; Data band 5.0-6.0 megahertz; Guardband 6.0-6.5 megahertz; Audio band 6.5 to 7.0 megahertz; Guardband 7.0-7.5 megahertz; Reserved band 7.5 to 9; and Special Application band 9.0 to 20 megahertz. 
     In another example embodiment, an emergency information channel is preferably assigned in reserved band  410 . Breaking news, weather, and national security alerts are examples of information available on an emergency information channel. Depending upon the information being transmitted the assigned bandwidth of the emergency channel may be expanded beyond reserved band  410  by FSA  310 . 
     In yet another example embodiment, reserved band  410  also preferably includes channels designated for communication of particular protocols. Protocol specific signals include TCP/IP and a variety of other proprietary and standardized protocols. Depending upon the information transmitted, the assigned bandwidth of the protocol channels may be expanded beyond reserved band  410  by FSA  310 . 
     In addition, FSA  310  preferably configures new frequency allocation assignments based on several factors including the physical properties of the twisted pair links. For example, signal transmissions requiring high QoS are allocated lower, more reliable, frequencies if the quality of the twisted pair link is low. 
     Subscriber demands for a particular service optionally effect making frequency assignments. For example, highly viewed sporting events may necessitate wider frequency band allocation for video band  450 . FSA  310  may also analyze spectrum transmissions and determine if particular frequency is in greater demand. Finally, protocol specific requirements also play a factor in frequency assignments. For example, NTSC signal may require between 0 and 4.5 megahertz. FSA  310  interoperates with PA  320  to incorporate protocol specific requirements in frequency assignments. PA  320  is discussed in the following section. 
     Protocol Allocation Block 
     FSA  310  communicates with PA  320  to assign the industry standard or custom protocols. PA  320  stores signaling rules used to convey information between CPEs  100 . Signaling rules include, for example, format and relative timing of signal exchange between CPEs  100 . PA  320  also includes a protocol converter means for translating the protocols of a received signal to a new protocol for transmission in the dynamically allocated frequency spectrum. This allows CPEs  100  to transmit and receive spectrum using newly or dynamically selected protocols. The protocol allocation block also enables CPE  100  to transmit and receive properly formatted digital signals between CPE  100  and peer entities of LAN  240  or WAN  230 . A preferred type of protocol supported by this submodule is traditional Internet Protocol. Other types of protocols, including proprietary protocols, are employed as well. 
     PA  320  computes an efficient arrangement of protocol channels. By multiplexer  220 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , one or more signals are combined into a single channel with different frequency transmission band settings. For example, NTSC, IP Data, and POTS may be arranged and multiplexed on a common twisted pair wire each having different spectrum allocation settings and protocol sequencing. PA  320  includes signaling rules established by control signals, preconfigured settings, or CGI  330 . CGI  330  is discussed in the following section. 
     Graphical Configuration Interface  330   
     GCI  330  is displayed on a video monitor of a digital processing machine and is adopted to receive input from a user and/or administrator. GCI  330  is a submodule of FMM  300 . GCI  330  provides means for a user and/or an administrator to assign and set the various protocols and frequency assignments. GCI  330  also enables users and administrator to input protocol requirements and available or unused spectrum information. 
     GCI  330  also enables users to populate FSA  310  with QoS requirements for signal transmission. FSA  310  updates QoS requirements automatically or selectively so as to provide strategic allocation of frequency bands to satisfy a particular QoS. Some examples of selectively applied QoS requirements are based upon known standards, such as those provided for TCP/IP including variable bit rates and constant bit rates. Another example of known standards are those provided by IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi), developed by working group 11 of the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee (IEEE 802). Once populated, FSA  310  selectively employs the specified QoS requirements when allocating frequency spectrum. 
     Users may also selectively populate QoS requirements based upon system objectives. For example, assume an object of the system is to provide less than a two percent rate of signal loss for a particular service category. Further assume that such service is allocated a channel from 5 megahertz to 7 megahertz. Assuming further that lower frequencies translate to improved signal strength, when FSA  310  observes degradation in the signal resulting in greater than two percent data loss, then FSA  310  reallocates the service in a frequency ranging from 5 megahertz to 6 megahertz. Alternatively, if a specific harmonic causes crosstalk in a channel, FSA  310  reallocates the channel in a higher frequency. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Technology Category: h