Video and TELCO network control functionality

Claims

We claim:

1. A network comprising:

local narrowband communication links;

a telephone trunk circuit;

a broadband trunk circuit supplying broadband digital service signals;

a telephone central office switching system selectively providing switched telephone call communications services to a plurality of telephone stations coupled thereto through the local narrowband communication links;

a local router coupled to the telephone trunk circuit and the broadband trunk circuit, said local router selectively providing switched telephone call communications services to a plurality of telephone stations coupled thereto and selectively providing broadband digital services to a plurality of digital terminals coupled thereto;

a signaling transfer point for routing signaling messages; and

signaling links coupling the signaling transfer point to the telephone central office switching system and the local router, said signaling links being separate from the local communication links and the trunk circuit;

wherein the signaling transfer point comprises:

(1) a data switch for switching messages between the signaling links,

(2) a database storing call processing data for control of at least some call processing through the telephone central office switching system and the local router,

(3) a program controlled processor recognizing a predetermined condition with regard to at least one call related signaling message from one of the central office switching system and the local router which is processing a call, in response thereto obtaining call processing information from the database, and transmitting a signaling message containing the call processing information to the one of the central office switching system and the local router to control subsequent processing of the call.

2. A network as in claim 1, wherein:

the local narrowband communication links are telephone links; and

the central office switching system is a telephone switch.

3. A network as in claim 2, wherein a plurality of the telephone links are telephone lines.

4. A network as in claim 1, wherein the signaling transfer point is adapted for sending and receiving signaling system 7 (SS7) signaling messages.

5. A network as in claim 1, wherein the data switch comprises a packet data switching fabric.

6. A network as in claim 1, further comprising a source which broadcasts digitized and compressed video programs over the broadband trunk circuit as said broadband digital service signals.

7. A network as in claim 1, further comprising a broadband switch providing selective broadband digital communications from interactive broadband servers operated by a plurality of information providers through the broadband trunk circuit to the local router.

8. A network as in claim 7, wherein the broadband switch is an Asynchronous Transfer Mode switch.

9. A network as in claim 7, wherein the broadband switch includes:

a processor controlling operations of the broadband switch; and

an interface coupling the processor controlling operations of the broadband switch to one signaling link coupled to the signaling transfer point, such that the processor controlling operations of the broadband switch sends and receives call control signaling messages via the signaling transfer point and the one signaling link.

10. A network as in claim 1, further comprising:

a multiplexed line carrying broadband service signals for services selected by a plurality of subscribers served by the local router, telephone signals for the plurality of subscribers and packet data signals for the plurality of subscribers from the local router; and

means for coupling the telephone signals to telephone stations on the premises of the plurality of subscribers and for coupling the broadband service signals and packet data signals on the multiplexed line to at least one terminal on premises of each of the plurality of subscribers.

11. A network as in claim 1, further comprising:

a broadband switch;

an information server selectively supplying broadband information through a port coupled to the broadband switch;

a level 2 gateway controlling operations of said server, wherein said level 2 gateway sends and receives call control signaling messages to and from the signaling transfer point via one of the signaling links.

12. An intelligent signaling transfer point comprising:

interface modules for providing two-way data communications to a plurality of common channel interoffice signaling links coupled to a narrowband switching office and at least one local router providing narrowband and broadband communication services of a communication network;

a data switch for switching messages between the interface modules;

a database storing call processing data associated with a plurality of narrowband local communication links and broadband communication links of the communication network for control of at least some narrowband call processing through the narrowband central office switching system and at least some narrowband call processing through the local router and at least some broadband call processing through the local router; and

a program controlled processor recognizing predetermined conditions regarding call related signaling messages from the narrowband switching office and the local router, and in response thereto obtaining call processing information from the database, and transmitting signaling messages containing the call processing information to the narrowband switching office and the local router, respectively, to control subsequent processing of calls.

13. An intelligent signaling transfer point as in claim 12, wherein the data switch comprises a packet data switching fabric.

14. An intelligent signaling transfer point as in claim 12, wherein the interface modules and the data switch are adapted for sending and receiving signaling system 7 (SS7) compliant signaling messages.

15. In a system comprising:

a broadband communication network selectively providing broadband communications links through a plurality of control nodes;

a plurality of information servers connected to the broadband communication network, each information server being capable of transmitting broadband digital information via a broadband communication link through the broadband communication network;

a plurality of terminals for transmitting control signals upstream through the broadband communication network in response to user inputs and for providing displays in response to information received through the broadband communication network;

a plurality of telephone switching offices;

a signaling transfer point;

a plurality of signaling links, separate from communication links through the broadband communication network and communication links through the telephone switching offices, said signaling links coupling the control nodes of the broadband communication network and the telephone switching offices to the signaling transfer point, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a selection signal representing selection of a broadband service call from one of the terminals at one of the control nodes of the broadband communication network;

in response to the selection signal, transmitting a query message containing information relating to the broadband service call over one of the signaling links to the signaling transfer point;

accessing a database in the signaling transfer point based on at least a portion of the information contained in the query message to retrieve call processing information;

in response to the call processing information, sending a response message back to the one control node over one of the signaling links; and

providing a broadband communication service through the one control node to the one terminal in response to said response message.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of providing a broadband service comprises routing a digital broadcast signal through the one control node to the one terminal.

17. A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of providing a broadband service comprises establishing a point-to-point session between a selected one of the information servers and the one terminal through the one control node.

18. A method as in claim 15, further comprising:

receiving another selection signal representing selection of another broadband service call from another terminal at the one control node;

in response to said another selection signal, accessing data stored in the one control node; and

utilizing the data accessed in the one control node to provide another broadband service to said another terminal.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein:

the service selected by and provided to the one terminal is a premium video broadcast service available to a limited number of broadband service subscribers; and

the service selected by and provided to said another terminal is a basic video broadcast service available to all of the broadband service subscribers.

20. A method as in claim 18, wherein:

the service selected by and provided to the one terminal is a pay-per-view video broadcast service; and

the service selected by and provided to said another terminal is a basic video broadcast service available to all of the broadband service subscribers.

21. A method as in claim 18, wherein:

the service selected by and provided to the one terminal is a point to point interactive communication with a control device and a broadband server operated by an interactive broadband service provider; and

the service selected by and provided to said another terminal is a video broadcast service.

22. A method as in claim 21, wherein the control device and the broadband server provide a video on demand service.

23. In a system comprising:

a broadband communication network selectively providing broadband communications links through a plurality of control nodes;

a plurality of information servers connected to the broadband communication network, each information server being capable of transmitting broadband digital information via a broadband communication link through the broadband communication network;

a plurality of terminals for transmitting control signals upstream through the broadband communication network in response to user inputs and for providing displays in response to information received through the broadband communication network;

a plurality of telephone switching offices;

a signaling transfer point;

a plurality of signaling links, separate from communication links through the broadband communication network and communication links through the telephone switching offices, said signaling links coupling the control nodes of the broadband communication network and the telephone switching offices to the signaling transfer point, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a selection signal representing selection of a broadband service call from one of the terminals at a first one of the control nodes of the broadband communication network;

in response to the selection signal, transmitting a query message containing information relating to the broadband service call over one of the signaling links to the signaling transfer point;

accessing a database in the signaling transfer point based on at least a portion of the information contained in the query message to retrieve call processing information;

based on the call processing information, routing the query message to a second one of the control nodes of the broadband communication network; and

establishing a broadband session through the first control node between the one terminal and one of the information servers coupled to the second control node in response to the query message.

24. A method as in claim 23, wherein the second control node is a gateway controlling operation of the one information server.

25. A method as in claim 23, wherein the second control node is a broadband switch, coupled to the one information server, selectively providing a point to point communication link between the one information server and the first control node.

26. A method as in claim 23, wherein the query message is a standard common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) message.

27. A method as in claim 26, wherein the query message conforms to a query message format specified by signaling system 7 (SS7) protocol.

28. A method as in claim 27, wherein the query message is an ISDN-UP query.

29. A method as in claim 28, wherein the ISDN-UP query is an Initial Address Message (IAM) type query.

30. In a system comprising:

a broadband communication network selectively providing broadband communications links through a plurality of control nodes;

a plurality of information servers connected to the broadband communication network, each information server being capable of transmitting broadband digital information via a broadband communication link through the broadband communication network;

a plurality of terminals for transmitting control signals upstream through the broadband communication network in response to user inputs and for providing displays in response to information received through the broadband communication network;

a plurality of telephone switching offices;

a signaling transfer point;

a plurality of signaling links, separate from communication links through the broadband communication network and communication links through the telephone switching offices, said signaling links coupling the control nodes of the broadband communication network and the telephone switching offices to the signaling transfer point, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a selection signal representing selection of a broadband service call from one of the terminals at a first one of the control nodes of the broadband communication network;

in response to the selection signal, transmitting a query message containing information relating to the broadband service call and address information over one of the signaling links to the signaling transfer point;

accessing a database in the signaling transfer point based on at least a portion of the information contained in the query message to retrieve call processing information;

based on the call processing information and the information relating to the broadband service call determining which of a first condition and a second condition is satisfied;

if the first condition is satisfied:

(a) formulating a first response message in the signaling transfer point based on the information contained in the query message, and

(b) transmitting the first response message to the first control node over one of the signaling links; if the second condition is satisfied:

(a) routing the query message to a second control node of the broadband communication network based on the address information, and

(b) formulating a second response message in the second control node, and

(c) transmitting the second response to the first control node through signaling links and the signaling transfer point; and

controlling broadband service through at least the first control node to the one terminal in response to either the first response message or the second response message.

31. A method as in claim 30, wherein the messages are standard common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) messages.

32. A method as in claim 30, wherein the messages conform to formats specified by signaling system 7 (SS7) protocol.

33. A method as in claim 30, wherein the second control node is a gateway controlling operation of one of the information servers.

34. A method as in claim 30, wherein the second control node is a broadband switch, coupled to one of the information servers, for selectively providing point to point communication links between the information servers and the first control node.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an integrated dial tone network, controlled by an Intelligent Signaling Transfer Point (ISTP), to perform various functions related to providing subscribers an array of voice, data and broadband services. Various switch points of the network which provide voice, packet data or broadband (video) switching or combinations thereof all are equipped as Service Switching Points (SSP's) to communicate with and respond to control data from the ISTP.

BACKGROUND

Distribution of full motion video data has evolved from early television broadcasting to meet viewer demand. Earliest video distribution was by point-to-point wiring between a camera and a video monitor. This was followed by scheduled television broadcasting of programming over the public air waves. In the 1960s, Community Antenna Television (CATV) was chartered to provide off-air television signals to viewers in broadcast reception fringe areas. Later, FCC regulation required the CATV industry to provide local access and original programming in addition to off-air broadcast signal distribution.

In response, several sources of cable network programming evolved. Because of the wide bandwidth available on cable television systems, additional channels were available for the new programming. However, programming was generally prescheduled, with the viewer left to tune to the designated channel at the appointed time to view a particular program.

To increase revenues, cable television systems have initiated distribution of premium channels viewable only by subscribers having appropriate descramblers. The subscriber tunes the descrambler to receive a premium channel, descramble the video and audio information and supply a signal capable of reception on a standard television set. Pay-per-view programs, which evolved later, include recently released movies, live concerts and popular sporting events. Subscribers wishing to view a pay-per-view program place an order with the cable operator. At the designated time, the subscriber's descrambler is activated by some control from the cable operator to permit viewing of the pay-per-view programming. However, the subscriber is still restricted to viewing the programming at the scheduled time. There is no capability of delivering programming to a subscriber on demand, that is, immediately or at a subscriber-specified time and date.

More recently, several different wideband digital distribution networks have been proposed for offering subscribers an array of video services, including true Video On Demand service. The following U.S. Pat. Nos. disclose representative examples of such digital video distributions networks: 5,253,275 to Yurt et al., 5,132,992 to Yurt et al., 5,133,079 to Ballantyne et al., 5,130,792 to Tindell et al., 5,057,932 to Lang, 4,963,995 to Lang, 4,949,187 to Cohen, 5,027,400 to Baji et al., and 4,506,387 to Walter. In particular, Litteral et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,347 discloses a digital video distribution network providing subscribers with access to multiple service providers through the public switched telephone network.

As the digital networks evolve to provide equal access to multiple service providers, the network functionality approaches a video "dial tone" network functionality somewhat analogous to the dial tone call-up functionality available through the telephone network. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of one type of broadband network for providing telephone service as well as interactive services, such as video on demand, home shopping or purchasing, home banking, medical information, ticket ordering, gaming, etc. from a plurality of service providers. The illustrated network is an improvement over the network disclosed in the above noted Litteral et al. Patent.

In the network shown in FIG. 10, the customer premises equipment (CPE) consists of a set top terminal type Digital Entertainment Terminal (DET) 700 and a telephone (POTS or ISDN). The connections to the network utilize Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) frequency division multiplexing technology, typically over twisted wire pair. The ADSL connection provides a 1.5 Mb/s downstream video information channel, a two-way telephone connection and a two-way 16 kbit/s control channel. The ADSL technology is described in more detail in the Litteral et al. Patent. The illustrated Video Dial Tone network architecture may use some form of fiber extension in the actual subscriber loops, to provide services to subscribers located more than 1.5 kilo-feet from a central office (see e.g. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/233,579, in the name of Bruce Kostreski, filed Apr. 26, 1994, 1994 and entitled "Extended Range Video On Demand System". In the illustrated network, the drop to the subscriber's premises is always a wired ADSL loop.

In the network of FIG. 10, the DET 700 connects to an ADSL multiplexer/demultiplexer 701 similar to the in-home ADSL unit in the above discussed Litteral et al. Patent. Each ADSL subscriber line 703 will connect to an ADSL bay 705 located in or associated with the subscriber's local telephone company central office. For each subscriber line 703, the ADSL bay 705 includes an ADSL multiplexer/demultiplexer similar to the central office ADSL unit in the above discussed Litteral et al. Patent.

The ADSL bay 705 provides transport for voice signals on the subscriber loop to and from the associated voice switch 707. The ADSL bay 705 also connects to an access concentrator 709 for providing two-way signaling connections through an X.25 type packet switched data network 711. The ADSL bay 705 also receives broadband digital signals for downstream transport over the ADSL line 703 to each subscriber's premises from a digital cross connect switch 713, labelled "Access DCS" in the drawing. One ADSL line to the home carries one channel of video programming and provides a single output channel. The output channel can provide a video signal to a VCR or to the TV set 700'. The various Access DCS switches throughout the network are controlled by switch controller 712.

If the ADSL bay 705 is local, i.e. located in the same telephone company central office as the cross connect switch DCS 713, the ADSL bay 705 connects to the Access DCS 713 via an appropriate number of local DS1 connections 715. In service areas where an ADSL bay does not carry enough traffic to warrant an associated Access DCS, the ADSL bay will be located in a remote central office facility. Such a remote ADSL bay connects to the Access DCS 713 via a SONET type optical fiber link 717 providing an appropriate number of multiplexed channels to service the number of subscribers connected to the particular ADSL bay.

The Access DCS 713 provides both point-to-point connections and point-to-multipoint connections. Individualized interactive services, such as Video On Demand, home shopping/purchasing and banking, use point-to-point connections wherein the Access DCS connects one broadband input port from a VIP's server to one output port going to the subscriber's ADSL line. Narrowcast and broadcast services utilize point-to-multi-point connections of one input port to a plurality of output ports.

The illustrated architecture of the Video Dial Tone network utilizes two levels of gateways, both of which will communicate with subscribers' DET's via the X.25 data network 711 and the signaling channel on the ADSL subscriber loops 703. The level 1 gateway 721 performs a variety of network connectivity related functions, including communications port management of transmissions of information between subscribers and servers, processing of billing information and session management. A level 2 gateway provides a number of services for the Information Providers. These services include transmission of menus of available information to subscribers, searches of available information, targeted advertisement insertion, previews, trailers, control of an associated file server, etc.

The Video Dial Tone network of FIG. 10 provides video on demand and closely related interactive multimedia services.