Downstream (networking)

Abstract: A retail method over a wide area network. The wide area network includes a point of sale computer station (41), a network service provider server (31, 32, ..., 33) operated by a network service provider (31, ..., 33), a customer computer station (51, 52, ..., 72) used by a customer and connected to the wide area network through the network service provider server (31, 32, ..., 33), and a transaction server (20) having access to identification information of the network service provider (31, ..., 33) and the point of sale computer station (41, ..., 43). The method includes the steps of connecting the customer computer station (51, ..., 72) to the point of sale computer station (41, ..., 43), purchasing goods from the point of sale computer station (41, ..., 43) by the customer, validation of the purchasing by the transaction server (20) and the network service provider server (31, ..., 33), charging the customer for the purchase. The step of charging includes a transaction including the steps of billing an account of the customer by the network service provider server (31, ..., 33) a transaction sum and billing by the transaction server (20) an account of the network service provider server (31, ..., 33) the transaction sum. The retail method also includes supplying the goods to the customer and remitting a portion of the transaction sum to a vendor operating the point of sale computer station (41, ..., 43).

Abstract: The communication system includes a hybrid fiber/coax distribution network. A head end provides for downstream transmission of telephony and control data in a first frequency bandwidth over the hybrid fiber/coax distribution network and reception of upstream telephony and control data in a second frequency bandwidth over the hybrid fiber/coax distribution network. The head end includes a head end multicarrier modem for modulating downstream telephony information on a plurality of orthogonal carriers in the first frequency bandwidth and demodulating upstream telephony information modulated on a plurality of orthogonal carriers in the second frequency bandwidth. The system includes service units, operatively connected to the hybrid fiber/coax distribution network for upstream transmission of telephony and control data and for receipt of the downstream control data and telephony. Also provided is a method and apparatus for performing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a home controller receives signals from the cable television system and utilizes a cable demodulator tuned to the RF frequency of the channel which carries the data information. The cable demodulator demodulates the RF encoded signals into conventional baseband digital form which are transmitted to a packet receiver which decodes packets addressed to individual users. If a packet is addressed to the user, the packet receiver transmits the corresponding data such as by an ETHERNET transceiver to the user's personal computer. A communication controller may be utilized to provide an interface between the personal computer and the cable demodulator, thereby enabling the personal computer to select the channel to which the cable demodulator is tuned, in order to permit multiple data channels to be utilized.

Abstract: A broadband service communication system using an MV cable for conveying RF signals in a network segment, which includes a distribution center (PLT controller) and a plurality of power line telecommunication (PLT) stations. The PLT controller has a distribution modem for conveying downstream and upstream RF signals to and from the PLT stations through the MV cable via couplers. Each PLT station has a modem for conveying the downstream and upstream RF signals via couplers and for conveying media signals to one or more customer premises equipment (CPE) via, e.g. wireless links. The PLT controller controls each PLT station regarding upstream communications transfer of all downstream communications and also controls. The PLT controller can be connected via a router to a WAN to convey media signals to and from the WAN. Repeaters and interlinks are used to join multiple network segments.