USOORE43163E
(19) United States (12) Reissued Patent
(10) Patent Number: US (45) Date of Reissued Patent:
Andrews et a]. (54)
(56)
HIGH-SPEED NETWORK OF
RE43,163 E Feb. 7, 2012
References Cited
INDEPENDENTLY LINKED NODES U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,750,281 A 8/1973 Belling
(75) Inventors: Jock Andrews, Springville, UT (US); Craig A. Miller, Lehi, UT (US); Keith R. Anderson, Springville, UT (US);
(Continued) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Richard H. Christensen, Hurricane, UT EP
(US); Marcio Pugina, Orem, UT (US);
1009156
6/2000
(Continued)
Jason S. Veech, Oakley, IL (US); Kevin J. Peppin, American Fork, UT (US); Larry G. Erdman, Lehi, UT (US)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Anderson, et al.; US. Appl. No. 09/500,721, ?led Feb. 9, 2000; Entitled: Large-Scale, High Speed Computer Network and Method of Implementation and Operation.
(73) Assignee: Brookline Flolmstead LLC, Las Vegas, NV (US)
(Continued) (21) Appl.No.: 11/318,396 (22) Filed:
Primary Examiner * Dang Ton Assistant Examiner * Lionel Preval
Dec. 22, 2005 (Under 37 CFR 1.47)
(57)
Related US. Patent Documents
closed embodiments comprises installing a digital communi
Reissue of:
(64) Patent No.: Issued:
ABSTRACT
A method of operating a network is bene?cially conducted on a municipality or neighborhood level. The method in dis
cations network Within a limited selected geographical
6,667,967
region. The network is formed from a high speed backbone and a plurality of nodes branching outward from the high speed backbone. A plurality of communicating stations are
Dec. 23, 2003
Appl. No.:
09/500,887
Filed:
Feb. 9, 2000
connected to the network and users at each communicating station subscribe to communicate over the network. Due to
US. Applications: (60)
Provisional application No. 60/ 134,294, ?led on May 14, 1999.
(51)
Int. Cl. H04L 12/28
the unique scope of the network, the users are related prima rily by virtue of their residence in a common geographical region. The network may be installed Within a public utility right of way and may be used to monitor utility usage and to bill utility users. The network is thus independent of public
telephone infrastructure. The network is preferably parti
(2006.01)
(52)
US. Cl. ....... .. 370/351; 379/342; 710/316; 370/401
tioned and communications are direct from station to station Without broadcasting. Outside access, such as to the Internet
(58)
Field of Classi?cation Search ................ .. 370/254,
is provided through gateways Within the backbone.
370/396, 401, 351; 700/286 See application ?le for complete search history.
Ianll Backbone
22 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
54
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Rm“ ’1' P00? 1 Kiemanet” WIalPP 011mg
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’
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31
~
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FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS wo
0070808
11/2000
US RE43,163 E Page 3 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Anderson, et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 09/500,724, ?led Feb. 9, 2000; Entitled: Broadcast-Inhibited, Neighborhood-Area Network. Anderson, et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 09/500,886, ?led Feb. 9, 2000; Entitled: Point-To-Point, Non-Broadcast-Messaging Network and Method of Implementation and Operation. Anderson, et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 09/500,884, ?led Feb. 9, 2000; Entitled: Packet-Trapping, Neighborhood-Area Network. Anderson, et al.; U.S. Appl. No. 09/501,091, ?led Feb. 9, 2000; Entitled: Bridge-Router, Local-Packet-Transfer Network. Carl-Mitchel et al. “Using ARP to Implement Transparent Subnet Gateways” Texas Internet Consulting, Oct. 1987. J. Postal “Multi-LAN Address Resolution” ISI Oct. 1984.
Search Report for PCT/US00/11033 issued Nov. 16, 2000. Written Opinion for PCT/US00/11033 issued Jun. 20, 2001.
International Preliminary Examination Report for PCT/US00/1 1033 issued on Sep. 30,2001. Of?cial Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/514,294 dated Feb. 2, 2009, 23 pages.
Response to Of?cial Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/514,294 dated Feb. 9, 2009 mailed Jun. 9, 2009, 13 pages. Of?cial Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/514,294 dated Oct. 16, 2009, 26 pages.
Response to Of?cial Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/514,294 dated Oct. 16,2009 mailed Jan. 14, 2010, 15 pages. Of?cial Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/514,294 dated Mar. 31, 2010, 28 pages.
“Metropolitan Area Networks,” Matthew N. 0. Sadiku, 1994, CRC Press Inc., pp. 1-3, 5, 8-10, 12,13,15-17, 19, 20.
* cited by examiner
US. Patent
Feb. 7, 2012
Sheet 1 0f 15
US RE43,163 E
10
Internet Backbone
Internet Backbone
34
J/sz
34
. [32
ISP [SP
10baseT
Frame Relay Fiber
AirSwitch
Illll [E21 ||||| lllll -\
Hill Hill
22
10 to 100
Megabit Coax
IIIII [5—3] Illll lllH NIH HIII
Fig. 1
US. Patent
Feb. 7, 2012
Sheet 4 0f 15
US RE43,163 E
Traffic Filter Module
Broadcast Traffic // 1 62
Sniffing Module A
Broadcast Traffic -*
/164
Elimination Module
Fig. 4 165
Header IP
/
169
166
5
MAC E
/
170
1/67
1/68
Data
/
171
Footer 4a
Application
/197
Presentation
/196
Layer
Layer
Session 1
1 95
L aye! Transport
90\
Layer
/
Network Layer Data Link
Layer
Fig. 4b
/1 93 /
1 92
MAC__/17O
Physical
Law
_ f11 94
/1 91
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.mt m
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Fig. 8
Sheet 8 0f 15
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Sheet 9 0f 15
252 250
\
Start
V
254
Provide NAN System /\/
256
Install NAN
’V
Connect Stations
/'\/
258
260 Finance Installation
and Operation
q/
v
262
Operate NAN
/'\/
Administer NAN
/'\_/
Fig. 9
264
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Feb. 7, 2012
Sheet 10 0f 15
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2
272
70 \
Start V
274
Provide Backbone /\/
‘
276
Utilize Non-IEEE
Protocols
/-\-/
‘7
278
Utilize Direct Routing /\/
280
Utilize Partitioning /\_/ v
Provide Sewer and
Central HQ
q/
282
v
Provide Internet
Gateways
Fig. 10
d/
284
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Sheet 11 0f 15
292 290
\
Start V
Install Through Utility Co. Right of Way
/-\/ 294
l Install in Selected
Geographical
A 296
Area
l Install Switching
Equipment
l Connect to Power From Communicating Stations
i Install Protective Pedestals
Install Cabling
_J\ 304
Install Servers
__/\ 305
and Central HQ
Fig. 11
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Sheet 12 0f 15
312
310
\
Start
V
314
Subscribe Users
l 316
Connect to Individual Residences or Places of Business
Install Physical
318
Connections to Local Boxes
l 320 Connect to
Shared Power
l Connect to Outdoors Hub
l Connect Stations Related by Location
In Geographical
Region
Fig. 12
{t
322
324
US. Patent
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Sheet 13 0f 15
332 330
\
Start
ll 334
Receive Subscription Fees
l
336
Receive Utility
Company Funding
V
338
Utility Co. Receives
Portion of Subscription /\_/ and Use of NAN
l Receive Installation Fees
/\/
340
l Receive Access Fees
/\/342 346
End
Fig. 13
US. Patent
Feb. 7, 2012
Sheet 14 or 15
US RE43,163 E
352
35° \
Start Receive Power From Comm‘g Stations
354
Remote Reading of Utility Consumption
356
l Remote Ultility Billing
4 Security Signal Transmission
Audio and Video
Transmission
l Truncate Broadcast
Data
l Direct Routing of
Messages
l Utilize Partitioned
RoutingScheme
l Provide Multiple lntemet Gateways
l Localized Advertising Over NAN V
End
Fig. 14
{ < Q€
358
360
362
364
366
368
370
372
374
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Sheet 15 0f 15
US RE43,163 E
382
384
Periodic Billing Over NAN
1 386
Receive Subscription Payments Over NAN
l Disconnection of
388
Services to
Delinquerlt Stations
1 390 Private Administration
Other Than Utility Co.
1
&
Cooperative
392
Ownership and
Management
a Fig. 15
394
US RE43,163 E 1
2
HIGH-SPEED NETWORK OF INDEPENDENTLY LINKED NODES
form of ?nancing. Such developments using current technol ogy would be prohibitively expensive. Who is going to pay for this infrastructure? Accordingly, a need exists for an intermediate sized net work to close the gap between the world-wide Internet and current relatively small scale networks. Preferably, such an intermediate sized network operates at speeds similar to those
Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue speci?ca tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.
of LANS, coverage both in geographical area and diversify of user type. Additionally any solution to this problem should also address ?nancing of installation and should overcome the last mile dilemma. New technologies for achieving such a new paradigm in computer networking are similarly needed.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of and claims priority to US. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/ 134,294, ?led on May 14, 1999 and entitled Neighbor hood Area Network.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome many or all of the above-discussed
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention The present invention relates to computer communications networks. More speci?cally, the present invention relates to
problems, the present invention comprises methods, appara tus, and systems for implementing Large-scale high speed 20
computer high-speed networks linking geographically related users and to manners of implementing and operating such networks.
2. The Relevant Technology
25
30
types of organizations in world-wide digital communication. The Internet has almost unlimited promise for communica tions advances, but is limited by an overburdened and some what unsuited transmission medium. In addition to the Internet, businesses, educational institu
network conducted on a unique scale with a unique clientele and is implemented in a manner that transcends traditional
network boundaries and protocols. The NAN is not equivalent
Computer technology is breaking barriers to interpersonal communications at an amazing rate. Already, it is possible to communicate almost instantaneously with anyone in the world that has a computer and a telephone line. Computer networks, such as the Internet, link individuals and various
computer network. The network may connect an entire neigh borhood or city in networked communications, and accord ingly, will be referred to herein as a Neighborhood Area Network (NAN). The NAN of the present invention is a
to a wide area network WAN, in part because it is essentially routerless. That is, while a plurality of NAN, may be inter connected through the use of routers, each individual NAN is preferably constructed without the use of internal routers. The NAN is unique from local area networks (LANs) as well. One reason is that, due to its many novel features, it can be of a size
and scope previously unobtainable by conventional LANs. The NAN is further unique because it is intended to cover 35
and serve a selected geographical area and to blanket that
geographical area, rather than functioning to serve a speci?c
tions, government agencies, and other similarly related enti
government, business, educational, or similarly related entity.
ties also communicate over much smaller-scale networks,
Accordingly, the subscribers and users of the NAN may be substantially non-related in any traditional business manner.
such as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks
(WANs). These small-scale networks, particularly LANS, operate at much higher speeds than the Internet, but are expensive to operate at large scales. Thus, a large gap exists, between the scope of coverage and speed of operation of the global, but relatively slow, Internet and the faster but more limited LANs and WANs. It would be advantageous to close this gap with larger-scale networks that operate at speeds close to that of LANS. Several barriers exist to ?lling the gap between current limited coverage networks and the Internet. One such barrier is the “last mile” dilemma. That is, the Internet runs at very
40
45
The NAN is also comparatively inexpensive to install, making the placement of a NAN in every neighborhood a real
possibility. The NAN of the present invention is capable of eliminating the message tra?ic burden from the Internet, thereby speeding up the Internet, as it is adapted to be oper 50
ated completely independent of the currently highly burdened telecommunications infrastructure (although Internet service may be provided over the NAN). In one embodiment, the NAN is comprised of an optic ?ber ring serving as the outer backbone of the NAN. The ring is
high speeds over its backbone, but slows down considerably over its localized connections. Generally, the Internet relies upon standard telecommunications industry lines and switch ing equipment for this last mile. This infrastructure is designed for telephone communications, and is not well adapted to the packetized communications of digital net
Furthermore, funding for the NAN, rather than being pro vided by a business-type entity or subsidized by a govern mental organization, may be funded at least in part by an independent third party, such as a utility company and may be funded in total or in part by subscribers.
55
preferably populated with one or more ?ber boxes, each con
taining circuitry including switches, repeaters, gateways, etc.
works. A dilemma lies, however, in replacing the telephone
The ?ber boxes in one embodiment connect the backbone to
infrastructure with transmission mediums more suited to
a central of?ce or headquarters data center in which a server
digital communications. It is currently considered prohibi tively expensive to connect high speed communications lines
is preferably located. One or more gateways are preferably 60
down to the individual users of the Internet.
This fact, together with the general congestion of the Inter net in general leads to a substantial slow down of Internet
communications. It also limits the deployment of intermedi ate types of networks. A further barrier to the implementation of networks of varying scopes and to the new introduction of new paradigms for network communication comes in the
65
provided within the backbone for access by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). An inner backbone comprised of scalable 10 to 100 megabit coaxial cable preferably branches from the ?ber backbone. The coaxial cable preferably originates at the ?ber boxes
and branches through the selected geographical region (dis cussed herein as a neighborhood, but of course, any geo
graphical scale could be served), connected by repeaters and
US RE43,163 E 3
4
nodes to individual communicating stations. The inner back
lines need not be relaid in order to upgrade. Services that can
bone is preferably partitioned for ef?cient routing of traf?c.
be provided include surveillance, on-line books, two-way multi camera, schools, etc. Additionally, IPBX, telephone,
The nodes in one embodiment comprise hubs. The repeat ers may be placed three hundred feet apart along the coaxial
television, CATV, and video on demand can be provided over
cable, with hubs placed within thirty feet of every house,
the NAN. Video can be provided allowing independent selec
business, or other type of communicating station on the NAN. The hubs preferably connect to the local houses or other
tion, broadcast, start time and may be buffered to the user in real time. The NAN also preferably incorporates one or more multi port switches which are con?gured to truncate broadcast data. The multi-port switch is preferably an indoor switch but is
buildings with ten-base-T twisted pair copper wiring employ ing the Category 5 (Cat5) standard. The hubs in one embodi ment are powered by one or more of the communicating
stations that they service. Accordingly, each station con
contained in an aluminum pedestal of dimensions approxi
nected to a hub may share the powering of the hub and may
mately 3 by 2 by 2 feet and is environmentally controlled.
share the powering of other switching equipment of the NAN
The repeaters in preferred embodiments convert the data
as well.
from the switches to be transmitted over coaxial cable and are
In one embodiment NAN software operates on the server,
preferably semi-intelligent. In one embodiment, the repeaters
the ?ber boxes, the repeaters, and the hubs. Client software preferably operates a computers located at each communicat ing station. Additional functional software or logic may also
are housed out of doors within a protective pedestal. The pedestal may be located on the ground or hung from power lines.
execute on communicating stations or computers of subscrib
ing service providers. For example, software may communi
The bridges are, in preferred embodiments, high speed 20
with a look-up binary tree and are preferably contained in the
cate with an electric power meter for transmitting information
protective pedestals. The bridges also ?lter out broadcast
regarding power consumption from a communicating station (the power customer) through the network to third party ser
traf?c. The hubs route traf?c to subscribing communicating stations and convert from coaxial to twisted pair cable. The hubs are connected with a T-connector and powered by the
vice provider, in this case, a utility power company. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the backbone is
25
installed over the right-of-way owned by or franchised to a
public utility such as gas, electric, or power company. This negates any need for a separate utility administering the NAN to acquire a new easement or franchise from the landowners
or the government entity of the geographic region. The NAN may be ?nanced and/ or installed through the cooperation of
30
the utility service provider company. This arrangement allows the public utility service provider that would otherwise be unable to enter the digital communication market to par ticipate. It is also advantageous in that a NAN developer or administration entity would otherwise likely be unable to
35
cooperative power coupler of the present invention. The P-coupler preferably includes a series of transformers, one at each communicating station. The communicating sta tion connect with Cat5 wiring to the hub through a home connection box. The home connection box preferably pro vides convenient connections for power to the hub and for transmit and receive lines. The lines at the home connection box are wired alphabetically. The home connection box con nects preferably connects with Ethernet cabling to a network card located within a computer at the client station. A modular power connector is preferably located at the
home connection box. The wiring from the communicating
afford to ?nance and install the NAN due to the cost and risk
station to the hub operates, in one embodiment, at ten mega
of funding and lack of suf?cient rights-of-way.
bytes per second. Three pairs of lines are preferably used, a transmit twisted pair, a receive twisted pair, and an A/C twisted pair running from the transformer to power the hub. The NAN of the present invention is a high speed routerless network which differs from traditional large scale networks in that traf?c is routed locally and that it has the speed of a small
In certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in
accordance with the present invention, an independent entity
40
may create a city-wide network or NAN. The network
includes, in one embodiment, a ?ber optic ring within the city to serve as a local backbone. The ?ber optic ring may be fully
redundant. That is, it preferably completes a loop such that any break in the loop will not shut the whole system down.
local area network but with many more stations connected 45
The ?ber can be laid inexpensively as distances are not great
and thus, less expensive local short-distance-types of ?ber
The NAN can be described as a baseband network rather
cable can be used. A low cost ?ber can be used, such as feeder
?ber which is less costly, and which requires less labor to install.
thereto. The large amount of communicating stations is facili tated by the many novel aspects of the invention. than a broadband network because it addresses communicat
ing stations directly and linearly rather than through broad
The ?ber backbone is preferably populated by ?ber boxes
casting of data. The NAN of the present invention de?nes what cannot be routed rather than de?ning the types of pack
having switches therein. Coaxial cable from switches to bridges and repeaters to hubs. The hubs may connect to client
verse/ inverse ?ltering. Because the communications traf?c is
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ets that can be routed. The NAN also preferably uses con
stations using twisted-pair, copper cabling. A central server may be used and may be located within a headquarters data center. A headquarters data center may be employed as a
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direct-routed, neighbor to neighbor communications is very high speed and occupies only a small part of the NAN. It also reduces the burden on the Internet.
gateway for Internet service providers. In addition, the Inter net service providers may enter the system through other
METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION
gateways including one or more switches.
The ?ber backbone may be laid using the franchise agree ment granted to the power company within a city or region. Thus, as the entire network is laid independently, the ISP
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business, government, educational institution, or otherwise
service is provided independent of the telecommunications
related. Additionally, individual subscribers pay for the con
line over the entire route. Additionally, all ISPs are available
on the net allowing equal access without choking traf?c.
The infrastructure is preferably upgradable from 10 mega bit to gigabit technology over the same lines, such that the
The NAN of the present invention is unique in that its
clients are merely geographically related, rather than being
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tinued operation of the NAN rather than a single large entity. The NAN may be partially funded by public service compa nies such as utility companies. In one embodiment, the power company pays a portion of the installation fees in return for