US 8228801

US Patent 8228801 (US8228801B2), titled "Broadband communications device," was invented by Eric M. DeLangis. The application was filed on October 19, 2009, and the patent was issued on July 24, 2012. The current assignee is Competitive Access Systems Inc, while the original assignee was listed as an individual.

The abstract describes the Residential Communications Gateway (RCG) as a broadband communications device that integrates voice, data, and video communications for residences or small businesses. It facilitates transmission over single or multiple Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines, either alone or in conjunction with a wireless broadband backbone, by utilizing packetized data with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and RF communication technologies. A key aspect of the RCG's design is that it does not require additional or specialized transmission equipment at the Central Office or elsewhere in the network, thereby eliminating costly infrastructure enhancements typically associated with DSL and Cable systems and enabling widespread deployment of high-speed services to POTS subscribers.

Regarding legal status, Google Patents indicates the patent is "Expired - Lifetime" and expired on January 22, 2025. The patent family has been involved in litigation, with multiple US cases filed in District Courts (California Northern, Texas Eastern, North Carolina Eastern, Texas Western, Texas Northern) and a PTAB case (IPR2025-01381, which was "Not Instituted - Procedural"). No specific 2026 dockets from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) were found during the search.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent contains several independent claims. The following provides a plain-language overview of each:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a residential communications gateway (RCG) that connects to a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) line and offers multiple communication interfaces. These interfaces include at least three telephone ports for connecting standard telephones, a digital signal processor (DSP) engine, a modem for establishing a network connection over the POTS line, a wireless interface (e.g., 802.11b/g), and a main central processing unit (CPU). The CPU manages traffic, giving priority to voice packets over data packets. A key feature is a failsafe mechanism where, if power is lost, one of the telephone ports directly connects to the incoming POTS line, ensuring basic telephone service. This RCG is capable of providing multiple telephone numbers over the single POTS line by converting voice to IP packets for transmission.
• Claim 13: This claim describes a method for providing communication services using an RCG. The method involves connecting the RCG to a POTS line, establishing an "always-on" modem connection over the POTS line, and then routing both voice and data packets through this connection. The RCG also connects to local devices via a wireless interface (like 802.11b/g) and can initiate and receive voice calls via VoIP, converting them to packetized data. Crucially, the method prioritizes voice packets over data packets for transmission over the POTS line to maintain call quality.
• Claim 14: This claim details a method for dynamic bandwidth allocation within an RCG that connects to a POTS line and a network. The method includes receiving voice packets and data packets, establishing a modem connection over the POTS line, and sending both types of packets through this connection. A core aspect is prioritizing the transmission of voice packets over data packets through the POTS line. This dynamic allocation ensures that when voice calls are active, the necessary bandwidth is reserved for them, while data services use the remaining bandwidth.
• Claim 17: This claim outlines a method for enabling broadband data transfer over POTS lines using multiple RCGs. An initiating RCG establishes a multilink PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) session and then identifies other nearby RCGs via a wireless connection (e.g., 802.11b/g). It requests these remote RCGs to join the multilink PPP bundle, using their individual POTS lines to collectively increase the available bandwidth for data transfer. The initiating RCG manages the bundle, including dynamically adding or removing remote RCGs based on their available bandwidth.
• Claim 20: This claim describes an RCG system that dynamically aggregates bandwidth from multiple POTS lines. The system comprises multiple RCGs, each connected to a POTS line and having a wireless interface. One RCG acts as an "initiating RCG" and forms a multilink PPP bundle by wirelessly communicating with and incorporating "remote RCGs." These remote RCGs contribute their POTS line bandwidth to the bundle, enabling higher data transfer rates. The initiating RCG manages the bandwidth contributed by each remote RCG, dynamically adjusting the bundle composition as needed.
• Claim 22: This claim describes a method for managing data packet routing in a network of RCGs and neighborhood access points. Each RCG continuously monitors its wireless interface to identify other RCGs and compatible wireless access points within its range. It then builds and updates routing tables that store addresses of these devices, including information about signal strength and the number of "hops" required to reach them. This allows the RCG to determine the most efficient routing path for its data transfers, potentially utilizing other RCGs for relaying traffic or connecting directly to broadband neighborhood access points.