Claims
- 1. A method for providing bi-directional communication through a CATV network to users of wireless RF cellular service located in the vicinity of a CATV network user-end, the method comprising the steps of:
coupling original unmodified wireless RF cellular signals to an access point of the CATV network and communicating, without modification, said original unmodified wireless RF cellular signals, coupling a user interface to the user-end of the CATV network, and providing communication service through the user interface for both CATV signals and wireless RF cellular signals.
- 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing service to users further comprises the steps of:
coupling the user interface for communication with at least one cellular device by wireless RF cellular signals, and coupling the user interface for communication with at least one CATV device by coaxial cable.
- 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
coupling original unmodified wireless RF cellular signals to a CATV network transmitting CATV signals, and coupling the CATV signals and the wireless RF cellular signals for simultaneous bi-directional transmission over the CATV network.
- 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein coupling of wireless RF cellular signals further comprises the steps of:
modifying the CATV network for coupling thereto and transmitted thereover original unmodified wireless RF cellular signals.
- 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing service through the user interface further comprises the steps of:
at the user interface:
receiving down-link wireless RF cellular signals and CATV signals from the CATV network, decoupling CATV signals from wireless RF cellular signals, transmitting the decoupled down-link wireless RF cellular signals over a common original unmodified air interface of the cellular network, and receiving the wireless RF cellular signals; and at the CATV device:
receiving the CATV signals.
- 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing service through the user interface further comprises the steps of:
at the CATV device:
transmitting up-link CATV signals; at the cellular device:
transmitting up-link wireless RF cellular signals; at the user interface:
receiving the wireless RF cellular signals from the cellular device over and unmodified common air interface; receiving the CATV signals from the CATV device over a coaxial cable; coupling the CATV signals and the wireless RF cellular signals; and transmitting the coupled CATV and wireless RF cellular signals to the CATV network.
- 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing service through the user interface further comprises the steps of:
connecting a Cellular Entrance Module (CEEM) to an access point of the CATV network, the CEEM being configured for receiving down-link signals from the CATV network and down-link wireless RF cellular signals-from the cellular network, the CEEM performing the steps of:
coupling the CATV signals and the wireless RF cellular signals together as a separate entities, and transmitting the CATV signals and the wireless RF cellular signals as a coupled signals; and configuring the CEEM to provide bi-directional communication, for receiving up-link coupled signals, for decoupling CATV signals from wireless RF cellular signals, and for transmitting the decoupled signals, respectively, to the CATV network and to the cellular network.
- 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing service through the user interface further comprises the steps of:
connecting a Cable Mount Cellular Antenna (CMCA) to the user-end of the CATV network, the CMCA being configured for receiving down-link signals, and for decoupling the down-link signals into CATV signals and into wireless RF cellular signals, and configuring the CMCA to provide bi-directional communication, for receiving separately up-link TV signals and separately up-link wireless RF cellular signals, for coupling the CATV signals with the wireless RF cellular signals and for transmitting the coupled up-link signals over the CATV network.
- 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein providing service through the user interface further comprises the steps of:
at the user interface:
coupling the decoupled CATV signals to a coaxial cable for transmission to at least one CATV device, the coaxial cable accommodating bi-directional communication, coupling the decoupled wireless RF cellular signals to a cellular device, and receiving and transmitting wireless RF cellular signals over the bi-directional antenna, respectively, to and from at least one cellular device.
- 10. A method for expanding bi-directional communication capability of a cellular service provider to users of the service located in a vicinity of a CATV network user-end, the method comprising the steps of:
coupling original unmodified wireless RF cellular signals to an access point of a CATV network, coupling the wireless RF cellular signals to CATV signals, configuring the CATV network for communication of the wireless RF cellular signals through elements thereof, and decoupling and coupling the wireless RF cellular signals and the CATV signals for, respectively, down-link and up-link cellular communication at the user-end.
- 11. A method of enhancing the capacity and re-use properties of a cellular network, comprising:
providing a Cellular Entrance Module (CEEM) at an access point of said CATV network; providing a Cable Mount Cellular Antenna (CMCA) to a user-end of said CATV network; and providing a Cellular Transport Module (CETM) at an active point of said CATV network; receiving, at said CEEM, unmodified wireless RF down-link signals, and, at said CMCA, unmodified wireless RF up-link signals; and communicating said unmodified wireless RF signals between said CEEM and CMCA via said CETM.
- 12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said CEEM performs the steps of:
receiving down-link CATV signals from said CATV network; receiving said down-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals from said cellular network; coupling said down-link CATV signals and said down-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals to provide a coupled down-link signal; transmitting said coupled down-link signal through said CATV network; receiving a coupled up-link signal from said CATV network; decoupling said coupled up-link signal to provide up-link CATV signals and said up-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals; transmitting said up-link CATV signals to said CATV network; and transmitting said up-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals to said cellular network.
- 13. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein said CMCA performs the steps of:
receiving up-link CATV and up-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals, said up-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals being received over a bi-directional antenna; coupling said up-link CATV and up-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals to provide said coupled up-link signal, wherein said coupling is performed without modification of said up-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals; transmitting said coupled up-link signal through said CATV network; receiving said coupled down-ink signal from said CATV network; decoupling said coupled down-link signal to provide down-link CATV and down-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals; transmitting said down-link CATV signals to a television signal receiver; and transmitting said down-link unmodified wireless RF cellular signals over said bi-directional antenna to a mobile radio terminal.
- 14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said CETM performs the steps of:
receiving, as a coupled signal, one of said coupled up-link signal and said coupled down-link signal; differentiating between CATV signals of said coupled signal and unmodified wireless RF cellular signals of said coupled signal; passing said CATV signals of said coupled signal through said active point of said CATV network; passing said unmodified wireless RF cellular signals of said coupled signal around said active point of said CATV network; and after said passing steps, recombining said CATV signals of said coupled signal with said unmodified wireless RF cellular signals of said coupled signal to provide a signal for transmission over said CATV network.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS.
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/206,794 filed May 25, 2000.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US01/04939 |
3/2/2001 |
WO |
|