Abstract: A telephone switching network having a plurality of nodes interconnected through the network through channels having dynamically changeable capacity. The telephone switching network includes a plurality of switching nodes and a network manager responsive to each one of the nodes for allocating traffic capacity of the network among the nodes dynamically in accordance with the traffic requested at the plurality of nodes. Each one of the nodes is coupled to the network through an ATM ADM. Each one of the ATM ADMs is coupled to a narrowband switch through an ATM switch. The nodes are interconnected through an ATM SONET.

Abstract: The Fibre Channel Credit Extender (FCCE) (600) is a network device that is disposed between and connected to an end node (210) and an optical repeater (220). The FCCE (600) contains as many buffer credits as necessary, to solve bandwidth problems in a network. In a situation where maximum bandwidth is required in both directions of a link, the FCCE (600) breaks a single logical link into three physically separated “linklets.” The short-distance linklets attain maximum bandwidth by use of the existing buffer credits of the end nodes. The long-distance linklet attains maximum bandwidth by use of very high receive buffer credits in the FCCEs (600). In this way, only those links that need maximum bandwidth over distances not covered by end-node credit counts need be attached to an FCCE (600). The FCCE (600) contains the optical repeater to gain distance on that link, and contains high credit count receive buffers to gain bandwidth on the link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using shared-media networks in a connection-based networking scheme. The method and apparatus may include filtering of packets received by a switch in the shared-media subnetwork. In-line filtering of packets is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communications network includes a communications medium with a synchronous communications transport signal including time-division-multiplexed (TDM) channels, bridges having respective interfaces to different local area network (LAN) segments, and add-drop circuits coupling associated ones of the bridges to the communications medium. Each add-drop circuit groups TDM channels of the communications transport signal into a bundle, and schedules the use of the bundle to carry data traffic originated by the associated bridge and to carry data traffic originated by the other bridges. Data traffic originated by the associated bridge and destined for the other bridges is transmitted on the bundle in accordance with the scheduling. For data traffic received from the other bridges via the bundle, it is determined whether the received data traffic is destined for the associated bridge, and if so then it is forwarded to the associated bridge.

Abstract: A bandwidth brokering system and method incorporating methodology for supporting self-healing communication rings is disclosed. The present invention utilizes state-based tokens that are transmitted on a separate communication channel between network nodes to monitor and correct communication failures occurring at a link, interface, and network node level. The invention as taught permits generic brokering of all available network bandwidth in a granular method without the need for fixed designations of “protection” or “working” communication paths. As such, the present invention permits integration of “protection” and “working” communication data paths to permit full utilization of available system bandwidth with graceful recovery in the event of system or link malfunctions.

Abstract: A protection system, a virtual concatenation processing block, a node and a ring network, in which bands of ring network system are effectively utilized when no failure occurs on the network, and all data can be transmitted to destinations using an LCAS function even when failure occurs. When no failure occurs on the network, a working channel and a protection channel are treated as a continuous band by the LCAS function and working traffic is transmitted using the band by a virtual concatenation function. When failure occurs on the network, the channels of paths prepared by cooperating a layer 1 protection function and the LCAS function to avoid a troubled part are used for data transmission, and the working traffic is transmitted through the band by the virtual concatenation function.

Abstract: In a networked environment, where multiple Internet Service Providers and multi-vendor equipment are involved in e-Business services and applications offering, the risk of overloading the Internet devices are real and security management is a challenge. Internet device traffic overloads could result from spoof attacks, (Denial-of-Service (DoS) or Distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks), device failures, special events, or widespread loads above engineered levels. To solve the problem of Internet security management for integrated optical and wireless devices, a new apparatus and functions running on IP devices are defined in this invention. Each Internet device includes counters and thresholding feature to manage the security attacks and prevent failure of the device being attacked.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic negotiation of maximal shared data transmission and reception rates by fibre channel nodes in a fibre channel arbitrated loop. An auto-speed-negotiation function is included in the fibre channel arbitrated loop initialization procedure. A fibre channel node undergoing initialization turns off its transmitter in order to elicit a loss of synchronization condition in the next fibre channel node of the arbitrated loop. Upon detection of loss of synchronization, each subsequent fibre channel arbitrated loop node invokes the auto-speed-negotiation function. The fibre channel node then turns its transmitter back on at the highest possible data transmission rate, sets the data reception rate of the fibre channel node's receiver to the lowest possible data reception rate, and then waits to detect word synchronization by the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting daisy chained BTSs (Base Transceiver Stations) by utilizing a multiplexer and a demultiplexer is disclosed. The BSC (Base Station Controller) generates packets to be passed to the daisy chained BTS and multiplexes the packets to transmit them to the BTS. The BTS receives the multiplexed packets and demultiplexes the packets, and as a result of the demultiplexing, if the packets are for the respective BTS, then the respective BTS receives them and transmits the remaining packets to the next BTSs. Additionally, the daisy chained BTS being connected to other BTS generates packets to be passed to a BTS and decodes the transmitted packets. As a result of the decoding, if the packets are for the respective BTS, the respective demultiplexer passes the packets to the corresponding BTS; otherwise, it passes the packets to the BSC.

Abstract: A method and system for designing a bi-connected ring-based network is provided, which designs from scratch or converts an existing network to a dual-homed ring-based network. The network covers the locations capable of being bi-connected with one or more cycles/rings. The traffic demand is then routed via the cycles, in such a way so as to minimize the amount of network traffic management equipment required.

Abstract: In a method of establishing communication over a network a number of nodes are interconnected in a ring architecture. Virtual connections are set up on a pair of counter-rotating packet-based rings to interconnect the nodes. At each node packets destined for that node are extracted from the rings, outgoing packets are added to the rings, and packets on each ring not destined for that each node pass directly through. This arrangement establishes a virtual mesh structure between the nodes. Either each node transmits packets on both rings or receives packets from both rings. In the case where each node transmits packets on both rings the node selects one of the rings from which to receive packets in the absence of a fault, selects the fault-free ring from which to receive packets if only one of the rings has a fault, and selects both rings from which to receive packets if both rings have faults.

Abstract: In a method for setting up a digital synchronous cross-connect connection between data transmission units that are connected to interfaces of user devices, asynchronous interfaces are allocated an additive neutral element, and data signals that have been received in a data transmission unit via various data channels are added together. This makes it possible to accommodate even asynchronous subscribers in a synchronous cross-connect connection.

Abstract: A metropolitan access network (10) uses a variation of a MAC protocol, where each station (14) on a ring (12) is associated with one or more time slot (30). Each slot carries information regarding the associated station, basic connection fields (32), communications fields (34), and quality of service fields (36). Each station maintains its own local database regarding the status of the network (10) by reading the information in each time slot (30).

Abstract: The invention aims to implement the Load Balancing/Backup function in a Multi-Users environment and to allow a remote station to have an alternate route through another Token Ring DLC to backup. By directing the connection to another route, it postpones the connection from a remote station to a Token Ring user through a first selected Token Ring DLC for a predetermined delay. For that purpose, each Token Ring DLC stores parameters of the remote station that has an unsuccessful connection in its own Connection Cache Table. In this way, when a Test frame is received in each DLC, this latter checks in the Connection Cache Table before responding to the Test frame. The Test frame is ignored and no Test response is sent back to the remote station when the remote station is identified in the table so as to allow the remote station to detect an alternate route with a backup DLC if it exists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a frame communication system composed of a code converter and a frame generator/decomposer. In order to improve a line efficiency without encapsulating transmitting data, a code converter in a frame transmitting device converts at least different specific codes X and Y within the transmitting data respectively into codes (Y, A) and (Y, B) composed of the code Y and at least specific codes A and B different from each other, and a frame generator prepares a frame of the transmitting data with the code X as a frame boundary. A frame decomposer in a frame receiving device recognizes a specific code X as a frame boundary to decompose receiving data, and a code converter converts codes (Y, A) and (Y, B) within the receiving data composed of a specific code Y, and specific codes A and B into codes X and Y.

Abstract: The present invention provides for provisioning broadband services using a VDSL-based communication network. The present invention includes a system architecture and method for automatically activating VDSL service by self-discovering customer premises equipment, such as a residential gateway, by determining the loop associated with a user and the subscribed content to be delivered to the user.

Abstract: A ring network has first and second network connecting offices for connecting ring networks together and for dropping a signal from a terminal office. Each node of the ring network recognizes whether it is the first network connecting office based upon channel setting information. A first node, which has been recognized as being the first network connecting office, executes a squelch-table creation procedure between itself and other nodes based upon the channel setting information, thereby identifying a second node, which is the second network connecting office. The first node embeds office identification information in a squelch table of a protection channel and sends this information to the second node. The second node recognizes that it itself is the second network connecting office based upon the office identification information.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, data to and from the Internet to a subscriber with a cable modem hook-up to a cable network or a DSL modem connection to a copper wire DSL enabled telephone network.

Abstract: A ring-bus transition 100 is provided which for switching signals between inputs 140-144 and outputs 180-85. First, signals are received at a number of inputs 140-144. Each input is coupled to a demod 130-134. Each demod is coupled to a communication ring 151-160 which is in turn coupled to a bridge 190. Signals received at the inputs 140-144 are demodulated at the demods 130-134 and then sent via the communication rings 151-160 to the bridge 190. The bridge relays the signals to a communication bus 195 which in turn relays the signals to output processors 170-175. Each output processor 170-175 may receive and stores signals destined for it in a memory queue 230. The signals may then be output in the order they arrive or in some other order based on a priority signal. Additionally, each communication ring 151-160 may be closed by connecting the bridge 190 to the first input on each loop.

Abstract: A communication network for an area such as an underground mine. A plurality of cascaded base stations (13) are serially interconnected in a ring structure (11) to form a network backbone. One of the base stations (13) at one end of the network backbone forms a network controller (15) for controlling the network. A plurality of portables (17) are adapted for communication with any of the base stations via a common air interface. A backbone network protocol (19) is provided for communicating between the network controller (15) and all of the base stations (13) and between the base stations (13) along the network backbone themselves. A common air interface protocol (21) is provided for communicating between a portable (17) and a base station (13). The other base stations (13) function as slaves relative to the network controller (15).

Abstract: A software definable DLC architecture (75) based on high speed analog-to-digital converters (64) and digital signal processors (66) capable of sampling to at least several MHz. Multiple copper pair wires (102) are attached to a single DSP (66) and upbanding is applied at staggered intervals so that all copper pairs reside in distinct spectral bands. Signals arriving from a single copper pair is sampled and digitized within the spectral band associated with each subscriber side service. The encoded digitized result is transmitted back to the central office (35) for decoding into the relevant signaling scheme according to the type of service attached to the subscriber (15).

Abstract: The invention prevents data transfer in a computer network from being sent via a path incapable of transfer or of poor data transfer efficiency. A central processing unit, a main memory unit, and storage devices for storing data and data processing devices are connected in the network, and the data is transferred mutually between the storage devices and the data processing devices without passing through the central processing unit or the main memory unit. The apparatus includes a data transfer control module that identifies the capability/incapability of data transfer based on the physical positions of the storage devices, the physical positions of the data processing devices, and the transfer paths incapable of data transfer. The volume management module specifies a combination of storage devices capable of data transfer based on the physical positions of the storage devices, the physical positions of data processing devices, and the transfer paths capable of data transfer.

Abstract: A system in which remote nodes are supplied with electrical power using existing network communication links. A communication device in a system according to the present techniques routes electrical power to a remote node via a set of unused lines of a network communication link used for communication with the remote node. The electrical power distributed to the remote node may be AC or DC power.

Abstract: Transmission system and equipment therefore are disclosed, by which independent network implementation corresponding to individual communication interfaces can be avoided. A network is constituted by a plurality of transmission equipment connected thereto. Each transmission equipment provides an interface which accommodates a plurality of low-speed main signal transmission lines respectively to transmit a main signal to the network according to the preset cross-connection, or to transmit, in the opposite direction, a main signal received from the network to the plurality of low-speed main signal transmission lines. The transmission equipment also provides an interface processor for converting formats corresponding to the main signal interfaces to a format commonly defined within the network.

Abstract: A transparently-bridged wide area network connecting Ethernet/IEEE 802.3-based local area networks uses redundant proxy devices on each LAN for internetwork communications. The proxy devices, implemented as data link switching (DLSw) devices, prevent looping of traffic such as explorer frames by sharing their MAC addresses to enable the proxy devices to recognize data packets from another proxy device. Incoming explorer frames from the wide area network are modified by performing an address substitution, where the source address in a received explorer frame is replaced with the address of the local proxy device. The proxy device then outputs the modified explorer frame onto the local area network. Any other proxy device on that same local network will then be able to detect the modified explorer frame as a frame forwarded by another proxy device, as opposed to a data frame from an end station on that local area network.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network, and a network configured according to such method, are provide in which a communication links laid out in a ring in a metropolitan area are partitioned into link segments, and managed according to a spanning tree protocol. The switches are configured to establish unique, mesh or tree type network configurations suitable for application to communication media arranged to support ring-based protocols. The method is used for connecting communication links arranged in a plurality of rings, which traverse a plurality of collocation sites in a metropolitan area. The method comprises configuring switches in the plurality of collocation sites to partition rings in the plurality of rings into a plurality of link segments providing point to point paths between switches at collocation sites in the plurality of collocation sites. The switches and link segments are managed according to a spanning tree protocol.

Abstract: A ring network for transporting data packets between network devices is provided. The ring network includes a number of ring switches. Each ring switch has at least one ring port, at least one local port and at least one table that self learns which network devices are associated with each port of the ring switch based on a selected source identifier from the packets processed by the ring switch. The source and destination identifiers may, for example, be a media access control (MAC) address from an Ethernet packet, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, at least a portion of a hierarchical address, a combination of two or more identifiers at different protocol levels for the data packet, a port number of a universal datagram protocol, or other appropriate identifier. The at least one ring port of each ring switch is coupled to a ring port of another ring switch in the ring network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a local area network operating in the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) for transmitting cells, comprising a plurality of network interfaces (1 to 8) coupled to a ring by ring connections (29 to 32), each network interface including a switch (24). For providing a more flexible local area network, at least one network interface (1 to 8) includes a radio device (33) for exchanging data with at least one terminal (9 to 21) located in the radio coverage area of the network interface (1 to 8). For controlling the cell transport within a network interface, a switch (24) is provided.

Abstract: ATM path switched ring switching is based on a ring segment BIP. An ATM VP ring segment is defined as originating at an ATM VP ring input and terminating at an ATM VP ring output. A ring segment BIP is composed of the path BIP error counts of multiple SONET/SDH paths from the ring segment input to the ring segment output.

Abstract: A backplane for a dynamic synchronous transfer mode network that comprises two dual ring topologies having opposite fiber direction. The ring topologies has a plurality of disjointed segments that permits the simultaneous transmission of signals in the same time slots over the disjointed segments.

Abstract: A system and method for locally determining a fair allocated bandwidth for a network node configured to send and receive packets in an upstream direction and a downstream direction is disclosed. A local allocated bandwidth is allocated for locally generated network packets sent in the downstream direction. A minimum downstream available network bandwidth is determined from information received in the upstream direction. The local allocated bandwidth is adjusted based on the minimum downstream available network bandwidth and the local allocated bandwidth is used to govern whether a class of locally generated network packets are sent in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A network or interconnect structure utilizes a data flow technique that is based on timing and positioning of messages communicating through the interconnect structure. Switching control is distributed throughout multiple nodes in the structure so that a supervisory controller providing a global control function and complex logic structures are avoided. The interconnect structure operates as a “deflection” or “hot potato” system in which processing and storage overhead at each node is minimized. Elimination of a global controller and buffering at the nodes greatly reduces the amount of control and logic structures in the interconnect structure, simplifying overall control components and network interconnect components and improving speed performance of message communication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection device, an exchange unit comprising such devices as well as methods of connecting signals within an exchange unit. The exchange unit comprises a connection device (61) having a message writing device (66), which adds, for each traffic channel received in a time slot in consecutive frames that are transmitted on a telecommunication line (PCM2), an address to a payload comprising at least a part of one signal received in said channel in order to form a message. The address points out a message reading device (68) and the message writing device sends the message to this message reading device for sending in some time slot in consecutive frames transmitted on a second, outbound telecommunication line (PCM3). The exchange unit also comprises a routing device (60) for each connection device, which together form a node in a hierarchiacal transport net-work comprising ring shaped highspeed links.

Abstract: A network or interconnect structure utilizes a data flow technique that is based on timing and positioning of messages communicating through the interconnect structure. Switching control is distributed throughout multiple nodes in the structure so that a supervisory controller providing a global control function and complex logic structures are avoided. The interconnect structure operates as a “deflection” or “hot potato” system in which processing and storage overhead at each node is minimized. Elimination of a global controller and buffering at the nodes greatly reduces the amount of control and logic structures in the interconnect structure, simplifying overall control components and network interconnect components and improving speed performance of message communication.

Abstract: A ring configuring method configures a network in which a plurality of nodes are connected linearly, and performs topology construction for the ring by circulating topology data through the respective nodes and collecting connection information of the respective nodes. The method includes the steps of providing in the topology data a flag indicating whether the connection information is collected in each node; inverting the flag at a terminal station which is an end node of the open ring, and turning the topology data there; causing the topology data to passing through a node other than any terminal station as it is; and adding the connection information to the topology data in each node according to the flag, and performing topology construction.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping 65-bit DTM slots onto an optical network system that is based on bytes of 8 bits is described. The 64 data bits of each DTM slot are separated from the single control bit. The data bits are then grouped into a set of 8-bit bytes while all the single control bits are grouped into separate control byte groups. The separation of the data bytes from the control bytes eliminates the need for 8B10B encoding and the number of DTM slots may be adapted to the particular optical network used so that the number of bits of the DTM slots is an integral multiple of the size of the optical network interface.

Abstract: A network or interconnect structure utilizes a data flow technique that is based on timing and positioning of messages communicating through the interconnect structure. Switching control is distributed throughout multiple nodes in the structure so that a supervisory controller providing a global control function and complex logic structures are avoided. The interconnect structure operates as a “deflection” or “hot potato” system in which processing and storage overhead at each node is minimized. Elimination of a global controller and buffering at the nodes greatly reduces the amount of control and logic structures in the interconnect structure, simplifying overall control components and network interconnect components and improving speed performance of message communication.

Abstract: This invention provides a network server platform forming part of a new local loop network architecture designed to overcome the limitations of current art local access loop technologies. This invention allows end users to seamlessly connect to the numerous disparate networks in order to access the multiplicity of services that these networks have to offer. The network server platform allows interconnection between networks with varying networking protocols. The network server platform is a key component of the new architecture and interacts to allow for easy and seamless integration with network components on both the local access level as well as the core network. The network server platform offers external networking capabilities to the local access network. As a result, the local access network terminates on the network server platform. The network server platform provides subscribers or end users the capabilities to access services from a multiplicity of disparate networks offering a variety of services.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for transporting a SONET formatted asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) signal and/or a synchronous transfer mode (STM) signal on a line switched ring over a unidirectional path. The SONET formatted ATM signal comprises cells mapped into a STS-Mc or m×STS-1s while the STM signal comprises STS-1s/VTs mapped STS-W. A unidirectional line switched ring is provided for transporting the STM STS-W using a unidirectional path switched protection protocol and the ATM STS-Mc using a unidirectional line switched protection protocol. A ring node comprises input and output ring interfaces, an STS management block, an ATM cell management block, and a non-ATM payload management block. The STS management block routes the traffic to the ATM cell management block and to the non-ATM payload management block, according to the traffic type. The STS management block also provides the UPSR protection for the STS-1s and ULSR protection for the STS-Mc.

Abstract: An integrated communication system for voice and data connecting an Ethernet LAN to an external communication network by utilizing a conventional communication system. An interface connected to the Ethernet LAN and transferring a voice signal at a data link level without processors is stored in a personal computer. An ISDN voice interface for connecting the personal computer to the external communication network with a voice channel is connected to the LAN. The input/output data of the ISDN voice interface and various routers performing data communication on the LAN is multiplexed/demultiplexed in a plurality of channels by an ADSL multiplexer. The input/output data of the multiplexer is connected to the external communication network through an access network having a user interface.

Abstract: In order to enable utilisation of half-bridges in networks in which a spanning tree algorithm is implemented, the priorities of the half-bridges are set such that generally the half-bridges select which of their ports should be blocked to break any communication loops which arise in preference to full bridges making the selection which may result in communication links via the backbone ports of the half-bridges being disabled. Further, a half-bridge is proposed in which more than one of its ports are available for configuring as the backbone port.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for use within at least one network wherein broadcast occurs. The method and system achieve their objects as follows. In response to reception of a data frame with at least one destination indicator ordinarily requiring broadcast to a first defined group of stations, at least one attribute of the received data frame is examined. In response to the step of examining, the received data frame is transmitted to a defined second group of stations, smaller in number than the first group of stations.

Abstract: In a fiber channel network, a method and system for discovering the location of a storage device that does not support FARP using a FARP broadcast using a storage router as a proxy. The storage device can be connected to the storage router via an arbitrated loop or a local SCSI interface. The storage router can perform a discovery to determine the node names of each storage device connected to it and save the discovered storage device node names to a look-up table. The storage router then sends a FARP request to each storage device on the look-up table. For each storage device that responds, flagging the corresponding node name for that storage device in the look-up table as FARP compatible, and for each storage device that does not respond, flagging the corresponding node name as not being FARP compatible.

Abstract: A distinction is made between unicast frames and multicast/broadcast frames for the transmission of information packets between a source LEC of a first ELAN and a destination LEC of a second ELAN. After initiation of a connection setup, unicast information packets are transmitted between source LEC and destination LEC via a wide-area ATM network upon employment of the destination ATM address. Multicast/broadcast information packets are transmitted from the source LEC to the destination LECs via a CLS wide-area network offering a connectionless service. For the transmission of the multicast/broadcast information packets, a specific LEC in every ELAN of an exemplary embodiment is coupled to the CLS network via a bridge or a router. In one exemplary embodiment, the CLS network is employed for determining a destination ATM address of a destination LEC for the unicast transmission.

Abstract: Interconnection subsystems having diverse topologies, for interconnecting small numbers of nodes having a predetermined maximum degree in a multiprocessor computer system, include subsystems broadly classified into a number of general classes based on their topologies, including a "polygonal" class, a "ladder" class and a "tiled" class. In topologies of the polygonal class, a majority of the nodes in the multiprocessor computer system are connected in a ring and the remaining nodes are connected to the nodes in the ring, and in some cases also to each other. In topologies of the ladder class, the nodes are interconnected in a "ladder" topology comprising a series of nodes connected in a ring, the ring corresponding to one standard of a ladder topology folded on itself. Each node in the ring is connected to another node in a second series, effectively forming rungs of the ladder topology.

Abstract: A system and method connects a call in a broadband system using the asynchronous transfer mode protocol for switching. Calls are connected over a SONET ring that has SONET multiplexers coupled by SONET paths. The SONET multiplexers are adapted to add calls to, and drop calls from, the SONET ring. An ATM cross connect system that has ATM cross connect devices is coupled to the SONET ring. The ATM cross connect devices provide provisioned ATM connections over the SONET ring. ATM interworking units are coupled to the ATM cross connect system. The ATM interworking units interwork calls with selected ATM connections in response to control messages. The selected ATM connections are provisioned between the ATM interworking units by the ATM cross connect system over the SONET ring. A signaling processor system receives call signaling for the calls, processes the call signaling to select the ATM connections for the calls, and sends the control messages to the selected ATM interworking units.

Abstract: Interconnection subsystems having diverse topologies, for interconnecting small numbers of nodes having a predetermined maximum degree in a multiprocessor computer system, include subsystems broadly classified into a number of general classes based on their topologies, including a "polygonal" class, a "ladder" class and a "tiled" class. In topologies of the polygonal class, a majority of the nodes in the multiprocessor computer system are connected in a ring and the remaining nodes are connected to the nodes in the ring, and in some cases also to each other. In topologies of the ladder class, the nodes are interconnected in a "ladder" topology comprising a series of nodes connected in a ring, the ring corresponding to one standard of a ladder topology folded on itself. Each node in the ring is connected to another node in a second series, effectively forming rungs of the ladder topology.

Abstract: Routes of communication data are set in an address area provided in communication data as transmission object by use of root addresses, which are constructed by arranging addresses of relay units existing at branch points in the communication routes in passing order. The address area is divided into a majority code describing area, in which majority codes formed by coding at least types of the relay units in a discriminable manner are described, and a type code describing area, in which type codes formed by coding either the relay units of the same type or node terminals as connection objects in a discriminable manner are described.

Abstract: A method for broadcasting data to a television set using a carrier signal such as a television or commercial radio carrier signal composed of the steps of: constructing a data stream from individual first record of a transmission database, each first record comprising one of a selection of formats, at least one of the first records comprising executable program code or an object, broadcasting the data stream within the carrier signal, providing a user with a user's device for receiving and decoding the data stream, the user's device receiving and decoding the data stream to a user's database, the user's database having second records comprising at least some of the first records, the second records comprising one of a selection of formats and at least one record comprising executable program code or an object broadcast from the first records determining the format a second record using a control program running, when required, the executable program code, and generating a display on the television consistent

Abstract: The present invention relates to a long distance telephone communication system which is convenient and cost effective. This system advantageously combines or makes use of existing communication channels or networks. The system and method relies on an intermediate leg of the distribution network being an INTERNET segment. Conventional PSTN telephone communication is typically used for initial and final legs. Real time voice telephone communications are completed by the system. Telephone to telephone long distance communications use INTERNET between two commercial providers, with these commercial providers interacting seamlessly with conventional telephones, thereby making the system widely available to telephone subscribers.