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Description  |
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications, and more
particularly, to a system and method for providing transmission of signals
having multiple formats such as voice, video, audio, and bulk-data over an
existing telephony line to one or multiple locations using variable and
managed bandwidth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Existing telephony services provide dedicated lines which permit certain
types of signals to transfer from one location to another. Dedicated lines
are designed to carry only certain types of signals i.e. video, data,
voice or audio. Although the implementation of telephony systems in the
U.S. varies greatly in terms of services and equipment available,
telephony standard Digital Standard 3 (DS-3) provides a transmission
capacity of 45 megabytes per second simultaneously in two directions and
has sufficient bandwidth for carrying signals having multiple formats such
as video, data, audio, and voice. However, DS-3 lines generally are
dedicated lines for a particular type of format which means that in order
to send video and audio signals, two different dedicated lines are used: a
line for carrying video and a line for carrying audio. A line is dedicated
for each type of signal format, because telecommunications systems are not
capable of distinguishing between the different signal formats and routing
them to the appropriate receiving device at the receiving end.
Dedicated telephone services are a disadvantage to today's businesses,
because of the high costs and inconvenience of requiring wiring for each
type of service. In addition, dedicated telephone services are expensive
due to the telephone system's use of DS-3 lines for a single dedicated
service. A business must pay for its use of the entire dedicated line even
though only a small portion of the line's bandwidth may actually be used
by the business.
In partial response to these disadvantages, a point-to-point wideband
switching network for the transmission of voice, audio, video and data
signals was developed. However, there are several limitations associated
with this wideband switching network. Subscribers of the wideband
switching network must call their local telephone exchange and their
publicly switched digital network service provider to request routing of
the information that they want to transmit. This is an inconvenience and
requires preplanning. This system operates on fixed bandwidth at the DS-3
level, meaning that all transmissions occur at the DS-3 level and the user
is charged for DS-3 bandwidth even if the bandwidth is not entirely used.
In addition, this wideband switching network only provides NTSC style
video service at the DS-3 level. There is still a need for multi-point
service to multiple locations rather than from one specific location to
one specific destination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a
telecommunications system that is multifunctional rather than operating on
dedicated services.
It is another object of the invention to provide variable managed
bandwidth.
It is a further object of the invention to provide multi-point service.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system that can
migrate to other telephony paths and support different levels of telephony
digital services.
It is another primary object of the invention to provide direct on-line
access of the service.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide HDTV and NTSC
video service and video transfer by computer file format.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a multi-faceted
business system which can transfer information into different formats
seamlessly.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a more effective and
efficient means of transferring data regardless of source and to dedicate
resources as required by a specific visually based application such as
video mail, video on demand, pay-per-view, data transfer, and video
desktop conferencing.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel method of
transmitting and receiving signals regardless of signal format and at
managed bandwidths.
Additional objects, advantages, and other novel features of the invention
will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the
following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The
objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by
means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out
in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the
purposes of the present invention disclosed herein, an improved broadcast
and transmission communication system for synthesis of diverse data
transmission signals. A communication system includes an information
signal source for providing information signals in at least one signal
format such as video, audio, data or voice. Multiple signal processing
lines for receiving and carrying information signals having multiple
formats. A selection and transmission subsystem that is connected to a
network subsystem for receiving information signals from the signal source
and selectively routing the information signals to the appropriate
processing line or lines as directed by information contained in the
information signals. A converter having multiple inputs is positioned to
receive the information signals in a particular format from the processing
lines and converts the signals in another particular format. A switching
mechanism for selecting between the inputs of the converter so that the
converter processes the information signal input from the selected process
line and outputs a converted signal in the desired format. A processor for
controlling the switching mechanism and the converter's output format.
In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for transmitting
information signals that makes the format of the signal or signals being
transmitted irrelevant. An information signal is embedded with destination
information and signal identification information. The signal is routed to
a selected destination in accordance with the embedded destination
information and directed to an application subsystem for processing the
signal according to the embedded signal identification information. It may
be necessary for the signal to be translated into a transmittable form
prior to routing the signal to the selected destination. Translation of
the signal may include compression or bit rate reduction of the signal for
transmission purposes. Electrical signals are converted to optical signals
prior to being routed to the selected destination. In order to embed the
destination and identification information in the signals, the destination
and identification information is translated into electrical data form and
attached onto the signal.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an information
transmission system for interconnecting multimedia application subsystems
is provided. The information transmission system includes a signal
processing line for transmitting information signals in multiple,
different predetermined signal formats. A plurality of application
subsystems which are adapted for receiving input information in a
predetermined signal format. A switching matrix having an input for
receiving input signals from the signal processing line and several
different output ports which are each connected to at least one of the
application subsystems. The switching matrix selectively directs input
signals of different signal formats to at least one application subsystem
by directing the input signal to the different output ports according to
the information embedded in the signal. The switching matrix is adapted to
receive input signals in compressed or reduced bit rate form, and a
translation subsystem converts the signal to an original form. The
application subsystems include a production subsystem for processing audio
and video signals; a presentation subsystem for combining audio and video
data in computer controlled productions; a satellite subsystem to include
microwave transmission for providing alternative transmission and
reception for the system; a network subsystem for providing operational
control of the system; and a private exchange subsystem for providing a
stand-alone digital telephone system. The switching matrix may direct the
signals to a number of the application subsystems simultaneously. The
network subsystem may store information in its transmitted format, convert
the stored information into an application specific form as required, and
direct an information signal that is representative of the converted
information to another of the application subsystems. Furthermore, the
switching matrix may be programmable and operated by a controller for
selecting the output port to which input signals of a predetermined format
are directed in the switching matrix.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, incorporated in and forming a part of the
specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the
invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a broadcast and presentation system
incorporating a number of interrelated subsystems;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control relationship in the
transmission subsystem which provides routing of signals;
FIG. 2a shows in detail the transmission subsystem interconnections of the
present invention;
FIG. 2b shows in detail the NTSC interconnections for the transmission
subsystem;
FIG. 2c shows in detail the high definition component video
interconnections of the transmission subsystem of the present invention;
FIG. 2d shows in detail the interface between the optical video components
and the rest of the transmission subsystem;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the computer network subsystem
of the present invention;
FIG. 3a shows in detail the workstation configuration of the network
subsystem of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the private branch exchange subsystem of
the present invention;
FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram of the fractional DS-1 and DS-1 video
teleconferencing components of the private exchange subsystem of the
present invention;
FIG. 4b is a schematic diagram which illustrates the interconnections of
the video components of the private exchange subsystem of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the presentation subsystem of the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the production subsystem of the
present invention;
FIG. 6a shows in detail the NTSC production suite of the production
subsystem of the present invention;
FIG. 6b shows in detail the high definition video production components of
the production subsystem of the present invention;
FIG. 6c shows in detail the components of the camera operations module of
the production subsystem of the present invention;
FIG. 6d shows in detail the auxiliary audio and video components of the
production subsystem of the present invention;
FIG. 6e illustrates the computer graphics and animation components of the
production subsystem of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the satellite subsystem of the
present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the portable unit embodiment of
the present invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments
of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference is now made to FIG. 1, showing an improved broadcast and
presentation system (10) incorporating the networked synthesis of six
subsystems of the present invention. The invention employs the novel
approach of networking a transmission subsystem (TRX 000), private
exchange subsystem (PBX 000), computer network subsystem (NET 000) (or
sometimes referred to as FDDI network subsystem (NET 000) where FDDI is
fiber distributed data interface), satellite subsystem (SAT 000),
audio/visual presentation subsystem (PRE 000), and audio/visual production
system (PRO 000) to provide a business communication network that
efficiently routes signals regardless of the format of the signal. System
(10) provides: audio, video, and data transmission, reception, and
production capabilities; reception and transmission of audio and visual
information in HDTV format, NTSC format and computer file formats;
displays of information in many forms; translations of data from one
format to another virtually instantaneously; and worldwide telephony and
satellite access. In addition, system (10) provides full platform access
by multiple users from any point in the networked system.
At the core of broadcast and presentation system (10) is transmission
subsystem (TRX 000). Transmission subsystem (TRX 000) performs the primary
reception, translation, and switching duties of system (10). Transmission
subsystem (TRX 000) channels information flowing between the other
subsystems (NET 000, PBX 000, PRE 000, PRO 000, SAT 000) using translation
techniques such as data bit reduction (e.g. compression and decompression)
which provides interoperability between all of the subsystems.
Private exchange subsystem (PBX 000) provides standard telephone services
for broadcast and presentation system (10). Private exchange subsystem
(PBX 000) also provides video conferencing capabilities and internal
switching for additional video services.
High-speed data and image transfer for system (10) is accomplished by
computer network subsystem (NET 000). Network subsystem (NET 000) is
designed to exchange large blocks of data quickly through the different
subsystems and is the main source of user control for system (10).
Satellite subsystem (SAT 000) supplies both digital and analog up-link and
down-link capabilities to system (10) and is controlled via network
subsystem (NET 000). Coordination of satellite subsystem (SAT 000) on any
personal computer workstation attached to system (10) is provided through
satellite subsystem's (SAT 000) connections with the other subsystems. In
addition, satellite subsystem (SAT 000) provides remote access to system
(10).
Audio/video presentation subsystem (PRE 000) acts as a switching unit which
accepts different audio and video inputs from the other subsystems.
Presentation subsystem (PRE 000) outputs information according to the
user's specifications. Production subsystem (PRO 000) is a high-level
production facility residing within system (10). Production subsystem (PRO
000) provides a wide selection of cameras, video switching equipment,
special effects equipment, editing equipment, monitors, signal-control
devices, computer animation equipment, and video recording and playback
devices. In addition, on-line as well as off-line editing, and stand-alone
production services are provided by production subsystem (PRO 000).
Due to the interoperability of the six subsystems, broadcast and
presentation system (10) provides controlled switching and manipulation
concurrently for any combination of audio, video, electronic data and
voice-based information.
TRANSMISSION SUBSYSTEM
Central to broadcast and presentation system (10) is a transmission
subsystem (TRX 000). Transmission subsystem (TRX 000) is responsible for
routing incoming signals to the other components in system (10).
Preferably, system (10) is based on a fiber-optic network, although
transmission subsystem (TRX 000) may be constructed on a traditional
copper network. Fiber-optic networks provide greater security, require
less maintenance, and can be miniaturized so that they take up less space
than traditional copper networks. In addition, fiber-optic networks can
carry larger signals so that system (10) can receive complex computer and
video data.
FIG. 2 illustrates how signals are transmitted and received by system (10).
For outgoing signals, meaning signals that are leaving system (10), a
signal originates from an application system (SYS 000). Application
systems (SYS 000) will be discussed specifically below, however,
generally, application system (SYS 000) may be within any of the
subsystems except for transmission subsystem (TRX 000). Application system
(SYS 000) may be a telephone, a fax machine, a computer workstation, a
video tape recorder, or any suitable device regardless of signal format
utilized by the device. If application system (SYS 000) is a device that
requires translation of the signal (i.e. into a digital signal or bit rate
reduction) for transmission, it is connected to a translation device (TRX
100) which is a component of transmission subsystem (TRX 000). Specific
translation devices (TRX 100) will be discussed in detail below. Also
connected to application system (SYS 000) (and to translation device (TRX
100) if a translation device is needed) is an application systems
controller (SYS 000-A) which is a component of the same subsystem as
application system (SYS 000) and is connected to network subsystem (NET
000).
When preparing to transmit signals, application system (SYS 000) and
applications system controller (SYS 000-A) are activated. Applications
system controller (SYS 000-A) makes a request to a switching matrix (TRX
003) within transmission subsystem (TRX 000) to transmit to a certain
destination. The request is encoded and sent through translation device
(TRX 100). The request includes a destination address ("header") and
information regarding the identification or type of signal being sent
("descriptor".) Operating software for the transmission subsystem allows
switching matrix (TRX 003) to recognize and address DS-3 lines, DS-1lines,
and DS-0 lines. Specifically, within the DS-3 lines, addressing is
complete to the DS-0 line level; thus, the software enables the switching
matrix to route and process signals based on the information contained on
the DS-0 line within the DS-3 line. Within each DS-3 line, a DS-0 line is
designated to carry information regarding the destination, route, and
description of the DS-3 line and any respective DS-1 line contained within
that DS-3 line. This is a functional description of the use of a signal
header and descriptor. The identification information is based on which
application system (SYS 000) is being used. If the circuit path requested
by applications system controller (SYS 000-A) is available, switching
matrix (TRX 003) activates it. However, if the requested circuit path is
not available, switching matrix (TRX 003) accesses its own controller (TRX
000-A) and looks for alternative paths which will complete the circuit. If
alternative paths are available, they are identified to switching matrix
(TRX 003) and inserted in the signal in front of the original destination
information; thus, pushing the original header and descriptor down in the
queue. Switching matrix (TRX 003) processes the modified request and
switching matrix controller (TRX 000-A) reports the change to the
applications system controller (SYS 000-A) via network subsystem (NET
000). Once the circuit is completed, the receiving circuit signals
switching matrix controller (TRX 000-A) and transmission begins. After
transmission occurs, applications system controller (SYS 000-A) signals
switching matrix (TRX 003) through translation device (TRX 100) to
discontinue the connection. Switching matrix (TRX 003) acknowledges the
discontinuation of service and notes that the particular application
system (SYS 000) is available for incoming requests.
When receiving transmissions from another broadcast and presentation system
(10) at a remote location, switching matrix (TRX 003) verifies the
availability of translation device (TRX 100), or if a translation device
is not necessary, application device (SYS 000), and makes the connection
between translation device (TRX 100) (or application system (SYS 000) if a
translation device is not required) and the remote location. Translation
device (TRX 100) signals back to the remote location that it is ready to
receive the signal and transmission of the signal commences. The signal
enters system (10) through either a Publicly Switched Digital Network
("PSDN") (TRX 001) or an Independently Switched Digital Network ("ISDN")
(TRX 002). PSDN (TRX 001) employs a programmable switch that directs the
transmission of incoming signals to particular subsystem and/or component
thereof based on the destination information that is embedded in each
signal. Similarly, incoming signals are routed by ISDN (TRX 002) which is
in communication with transmission subsystems from each broadcast and
presentation system (10) throughout the world so that all systems (10) may
interact with each other. PSDN (TRX 001) is connected to switching matrix
(TRX 003) by high level optical fiber links. Although the optical fiber
links in this embodiment are digital standard 3 ("DS-3") on the telephony
standard, it is to be understood that one skilled in the art may select
any suitable links for transmitting information. There are at least two
DS-3 links between PSDN (TRX 001) and switching matrix (TRX 003) for
transmitting signals. In addition, independently switched digital network
("ISDN") (TRX 002) has at least two DS-3 connections to switching matrix
(TRX 003) for connecting system (10) to other systems around the world.
PSDN (TRX 001) and ISDN (TRX 002) are programmed to automatically route an
incoming signal to switching matrix (TRX 003) which reads the
identification information embedded in the signal and routes the signal to
the appropriate translation device (TRX 10X) represents any translating
devices within the transmission subsystem such as TRX 101-105 and TRX 005
and 006. Translation device (TRX 100) sends the descriptor to application
systems controller (SYS 000-A) and the signal is processed by application
system (SYS 000). Application system (SYS 000) is either slaved to accept
the signal automatically or activated by applications system controller
(SYS 000-A) to accept the signal. Translation device (TRX 100),
application system (SYS 000), and applications system controller (SYS
000-A) together form a system group (20). There can be as many system
groups (20) in one system (10) as can be handled by switching matrix (TRX
003).
A suitable switching matrix (TRX 003) is an Alcatel 1630 SX Narrowband
Digital Cross Connect System that splits signals from digital standard-3
("DS-3") to digital standard-1 ("DS-1") with addressing to digital
standard-0 ("DS-0"), combines signals from DS-1 to DS-3, and routes the
signals according to their identification information. Although this
description discusses using system (10) with the digital standard
telephony hierarchy, it may be used with any type of telephony standard
(e.g. Optical Carrier, etc.). Switching matrix (TRX 003) also can redirect
a signal after it is split or combined by embedding addressing information
into the signal.
Referring now to FIG. 2a, both PSDN (TRX 001) and ISDN (TRX 002) are
connected (10a, 10b) to switching matrix (TRX 003) by 8 DS-3 connections
using single-mode ST connectors. Dual-strand, single-mode fiber is used to
allow a maximum of six send and receive connections. The ST connectors
provide virtually unlimited bandwidth capacity, reliable and consistent
fiber-to-port connection, and are recognized as an industry standard.
Alternatively, a biconic single-mode connector may be used; however, this
connector is not preferred because it is difficult to align with the port
on switching matrix (TRX 003) and the optical signal is subject to drift
over time.
Controller (TRX 000-A) provides remote programming and operation of
switching matrix (TRX 003). Controller (TRX 000-A) is connected (12a) to
switching matrix (TRX 003) by a 25-pin serial RS-232 connector. Suitable
controllers (TRX 000-A) include a high end computer with high
visualization such as either an ISA or an EISA bus machine with a minimum
of 4 MB RAM, a 80 MB Hard Drive, and a 386SX33 Processor, or a 486DX33 ISA
Bus with VESA Local Video, 2 MB VRAM, 120 MB Hard Drive, and 8 MB RAM.
However, use of the 486DX33 EISA Bus requires that an appropriate FDDI
network card be installed.
As shown in FIG. 2a, from switching matrix (TRX 003), a signal can be
routed to several different locations within broadcast and presentation
system (10). A signal can be returned to either PSDN (TRX 001) or ISDN
(TRX 002) using the ST connectors' (10a, 10b) send capability. From
switching matrix (TRX 003), signals can be routed to an optical
multiplexer/demultiplexer for DS-3/OC-1 to FDDI (TRX 007) for demuxing
signals to two 45 MBit channels for transmission to network subsystem (NET
000). Optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for DS-3/OC-1 (TRX 007) is
connected (10d) to switching matrix (TRX 003) by single mode fiber optic
cable with ST connectors. Preferably, a dual-strand multi-mode optical
fiber using a multi-mode ST connector (14a) is used to connect optical
multiplexer/demultiplexer (TRX 007) to FDDI (NET 000). A suitable, but not
preferred alternative would be to use RJ-45 connectors operating on
shielded, twisted 4-pair copper cable to a network configured to the
traditional copper SDDI standard. The fiber-based network is preferred due
to its virtual immunity to electronics eavesdropping and its greater
transmission distances. However, signals that are sent to other parts of
system (10) must first be interfaced from fiber-optic to copper by optical
to electrical interfaces for DS-1 lines (TRX 004) and for DS-3 lines (TRX
005). The preferred connections (10e) from switching matrix (TRX 003) to
optical to electrical interface (TRX 004) are single-mode ST connectors.
Connections (10e) are copper based connections from DS-1 to DS-1 with each
connection having send and receive capabilities and transfer rates from
1.5 megabytes per second to 51 megabytes per second.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a variable number (n) of optical to electrical
interfaces (TRX 004, TRX 005) may be employed. Switching matrix (TRX 003)
has 32 possible DS-3 connections with eight connections designated for
PSDN (TRX 001) and eight connections designated for ISDN (TRX 002), two
connections designated for optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for DS-3/OC-1
to FDDI (TRX 007), and a minimum of four DS-3 connections must be
designated for optical to electrical interfaces for DS-3 (TRX 005). The
remaining DS-3 connections available for optical to electrical interfaces
(TRX 004, TRX 005) are variable; however, a maximum of ten DS-3
connections may be designated for optical to electrical interfaces for
DS-3 (TRX 005). The optimal configuration is a minimum of 56 DS-1 ports
available with a maximum configuration of 112 ports, because each DS-3
line can be separated into 28 DS-1 connections. Switching matrix (TRX 003)
capacity supports a total of 32 DS-3 lines or the equivalent bandwidth of
DS-1 lines such that the configuration of DS-3 and DS-1 lines to the
different components is widely variable.
From optical to electrical interface for DS-1 (TRX 004), a signal can be
routed to a private exchange digital phone system (PBX 001). Private
exchange digital phone system is an application system (SYS 000) (on FIG.
2) that does not require a translation device (TRX 100). Connections (16a)
employ a 25-pair, class 4 shielded cable. This cabling connection reduces
radio frequency interference and allows direct connection between the DS-1
interface and private exchange system (PBX 000). Private exchange digital
phone system (PBX 001) receives two of these co | | |
