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Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for two-way multi-media communications over two-way capable cable-TV networks. The cable-TV system is divided into small community hubs, each called a Multiple Service Hub (MSH), comprising a central controller, a plurality of subscriber units and interconnecting devices. The two-way telecommunication signals of the same information type are modulated in the same frequency band compatible with the sub-split cable-TV system; e.g., telephony signals are modulated in the 5 to 30 MHz band. In each MSH the frequency bands allocated for two-way multi-media communications are re-used. Three configurations are illustrated for two-way multi-media communications. In the simplest form the MSH covers one trunk of the cable-TV network. In a more complex arrangement, several branches of the cable-TV network are combined into an MSH. In the third configuration, a central controller is co-located with the information source, e.g., the switching office of the telephone network, and the communication signals of that information type are remoted to the MSH. A signal combiner is disclosed for implementing these configurations to realize the flexibility and extensibility afforded by the present invention.

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First Claim