Residential Gateway VoIP POTS Bandwidth Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Competitive Local Exchange Companies (CLECs) face challenges in competing with Local Exchange Companies (LECs) for residential voice and data services due to limited pricing flexibility and infrastructure costs, leading to high prices and lack of competition in the residential market.

Innovation Solution

The Residential Communications Gateway (RCG) combines IP routers, Class 5 circuit switches, and wireless LANs in a small, stand-alone device that connects to existing POTS lines, enabling advanced calling features and broadband services without requiring significant network infrastructure, allowing CLECs to offer multiple telephone lines, internet access, and additional features over existing copper lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If CLECs resell LEC services, then service availability is ensured, but pricing flexibility is lost and competition is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepricing flexibilityVSAvoidservice availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an RCG device as an intermediary between the LEC network and the customer premises. This device enables CLECs to provide services over existing POTS lines without requiring infrastructure changes, thus maintaining service availability while gaining the ability to offer differentiated services and pricing models including unlimited calling packages and bundled services

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If DSL or Cable services are deployed, then broadband capabilities are provided, but infrastructure costs increase tremendously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroadband capabilitiesVSAvoidinfrastructure costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RCG device is designed to provide multiple functions including voice, data, fax, and broadband capabilities over a single POTS line connection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate DSL or Cable infrastructure, providing broadband capabilities while avoiding tremendous infrastructure costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses existing POTS line infrastructure as a template for delivering modern broadband services. Instead of building new infrastructure, the system copies the functionality of DSL/Cable services over the proven, existing copper telephone network through the RCG device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of energy

If VoIP services are provided over Internet connections, then service costs are reduced, but service reliability deteriorates due to Internet delays and lack of QOS

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice costsVSAvoidservice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The RCG device acts as an intermediary that bridges the public Internet and private VoIP networks. It provides QOS enforcement, call routing control, and network management functions that ensure reliable service quality while maintaining the cost benefits of Internet-based VoIP services

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If CLECs offer additional services, then competitive advantage is gained, but service complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice varietyVSAvoidservice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple service functions including voice switching, data routing, fax support, and broadband access into a single integrated RCG device. This consolidation allows CLECs to offer diverse services while managing complexity through unified device architecture and centralized control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7606156B2Residential communications gateway (RCG) for broadband communications over a plurality of standard POTS lines, with dynamic allocation of said bandwidth, that requires no additional equipment or modifications to the associated class 5 offices or the PSTN at large

Publication Date: 2009.10.20 COMPETITIVE ACCESS SYST INC

AI summary

The Residential Communications Gateway (RCG) is a broadband communications device that combines all voice, data and video communications to and from a typical residence or small business for transmission over a single, or a plurality of Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines separately or in conjunction with, a wireless broadband backbone. The RCG does this by employing packetized data with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies combined with RF communications technologies. A key consideration to the design of the RCG is that no additional or special transmission equipment must be installed at the Central Office or anywhere else in the network to enable new calling features provided by the RCG as is the case with DSL and Cable systems. By eliminating the requirement for costly infrastructure enhancements, ubiquitous high speed communications and services can be deployed to every POTS subscriber.