| 摘要 |
A method for enhancing the functionalities of a subscriber terminal unit (STU) (106) or ADSL terminal unit (ATU) through the use of different types of application interface modules (AIMs) (901). This is accomplished by incorporating a slot in the STU/ATU through which a detachable AIM can (901) be inserted and electrically coupled to the STU/ATU (902). The STU/ATU has circuitry for determining which particular type of AIM has been inserted. Depending on the type of AIM that has been inserted in the STU/ATU (e.g., installation, telephony, diagnostics, network interface, television, etc.), management information specific to the particular AIM is sent by the STU/ATU upstream to the headend unit. In response, the headend unit provides applications service(s) to the STU/ATU, depending on the particular type of device inserted into the subscriber terminal unit. |
