Customer premise wireless distribution of audio-video, control signals and voice

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TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to routing and access control and billing functionalities in video distribution networks capable of providing subscribers with access to multiple information service providers utilizing wireless distribution in at least a portion of the network.

BACKGROUND ART

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, under FCC regulation, the CATV industry was required to provide local access and original programming in addition to off-air broadcast signal distribution.

In response, several sources of cable network programming were established. 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 descrmbler 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. Patents disclose representative examples of such digital video distributions networks: U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,275 to Yurt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,992 to Yurt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,079 to Ballantyne et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,792 to Tindell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,932 to Lang, U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,995 to Lang, U.S.Pat. No. 4,949,187 to Cohen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,400 to Baji et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 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 Video On Demand service providers through the public switched telephone network, as described in more detail below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,347 to Litteral et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety into this disclosure by reference, discloses an enhanced public switched telephone network which also provides a video on demand service to subscribers over the public switched telephone network. A menu of video programming information is displayed at the subcriber's premises by a set-top terminal and a TV set. The subscriber may transmit ordering information via the public switched telephone network to the independent video information providers. Video programming may be accessed and transmitted to the subscriber directly from a video information provider (VIP) or through a video buffer located at a central office (CO) serving the subscriber.

Connectivity between the central office and the subscriber for transmission of video data is provided by an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) system. ADSL interface units at the central office multiplex digital video information with voice information to be transmitted to the subscriber and support two-way transmission between the subcriber's line and the X0.25 packet data network of one or more control channels. A complimentary ADSL interface unit at the subcriber's premises separates downstream video control signals and voice telephone signals from the line and multiplexes upstream control signals and voice telephone signals onto the line.

A subscriber can request transmission of video data using a telephone instrument by dialing a Voice Response Unit (VRU) of a video gateway device, through the voice telephone switch and dialing in selection information. Alternatively, the user can access the video gateway device and select a video using a remote control device, the set-top terminal and the control signaling channel through the network. The VIP's equipment identifies the requested title and determines if the title is available.

If the title is found, the corresponding data file is opened and a reserve idle communications port is identified for transmission of the video data to an input node of a digital cross-connect switch (DCS). The video data file is transmitted from the VIP's video storage device, through the DCS, to the designated ADSL interfaces for transmission to the requesting subcriber's premises. The ADSL interface on the subscriber premises demultiplexes the broadband program transmission off of the subscriber loop and applies the digital data stream to a decoder unit in the set-top terminal. The decoder unit decompresses the audio and video data, and converts the digital audio and video to corresponding analog signals. The decoder can supply baseband analog audio and video signals to a television receiver, or these analog signals can be modulated to a standard television channel frequency for use by the television receiver.

While the foregoing patents deal with systems involving wired distribution of the data, entertainment and information within the consumer premises, a number of patents have proposed various schemes for wireless distribution of information of one sort or another.

Robbins U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,211, issued Apr. 2, 1985, describes an electrical system that utilizes and extended infrared radiation link for remote control, such as a TV selector or for data communication.

Williams U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,747, issued Nov. 21, 1989, describes a teleconferencing system including infrared communication apparatus that provides simultaneous video control at a number of remote teleconferencing sites from a central teleconferencing location.

Yasuoka et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,766, issued Dec. 5, 1989, describes a tele-controller system including a control device that receives and stores incoming commands transmitted through a telephone line. The commands are used to operate various apparatuses such as VCR, air conditioner, lamp, etc., at pre-determined times.

Kameo et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,370 issued Feb. 6, 1990, describes an apparatus enabling remote control of electronic equipment such as a VCR through the use of a remote telephone set. A remote controller will provide wireless, line of sight operation of the VCR in response to a signal from the telephone set.

Streck et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,916,532, 5,012,350 and 5,023,931, issued Apr. 10, 1990, Apr. 30, 1991, and Jun. 11, 1991, respectively, describe the transmission of a wireless signal from a VCR to a TV. The output of the VCR is fed into a transmitter and sent to the TV receiver. These patents also describe several prior art arrangements for transmitting a signal from a VCR to a TV set without linking wiring.

The above discussed media distribution systems provide varied approaches to providing to business and residential premises numerous media services via different types of delivery mechanisms. However, all systems known to have been proposed to date have required a greater or lesser installation of additional signal distribution wiring or cabling in the served premise. In many instances, the installation of such facilities involves a major construction project and significant expense.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an efficient system and method for providing wireless distribution of video and the like wide band information services throughout a premise.

According to the present invention, interactive multimedia services are provided to subscriber premises utilizing in whole or in part the public switched telephone network. In one preferred embodiment, the service is provided using an existing twisted wire pair subscriber line with Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology. The ADSL connection provides a 1.5 mbits/s downstream video information channel, a two-way telephone connection, and a 16 kbits/s control channel. This multiplexed signal is then separated and processed on premise and distributed in a two-way fashion as a complex radio frequency signal. Multiple television sets and telephone stations may be simultaneously served and may conversely communicate commands upstream to the multimedia network. A complete installation may be made in an entire premise without the necessity for any significant installation of new wiring. The system and methodology provide flexibility and are adapted to serve as an integral termination for multiple multimedia distribution and delivery architectures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a first Video Dial Tone Network utilizing a Level 1 Gateway which may be utilized with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one example of an alternate network architecture utilizing a Level 1 Gateway in a manner adapted to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hybrid fiber coax network architecture utilizing the Level 1 Gateway in a manner adapted to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a digital entertainment terminal which may be utilized with the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the implementation of the invention according to one embodiment utilizing the type of network illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of utilization of the invention in a network of the type illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a simplified block diagram of a translator or transponder which may be utilized in the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Architectural Overview of Video Dial Tone Network

FIG. 1 is a block diagram an exemplary broadband network for providing interactive services, such as video on demand, home shopping or purchasing, home banking, medical information, ticket ordering, gaming, etc. In the network shown, the customer premises equipment (CPE) consists of a set top terminal identified as "DET" (digital entertainment terminal) 100 and a telephone (POTS or ISDN). The connections to the central office utilize Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, typically over twisted wire pair, similar to that disclosed in the above cited Litteral et al. Patent. The ADSL connection provides a 1.5 mbits/s downstream video information channel, a two-way telephone connection and a two-way 16 kbits/s control channel. 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 No. 08/233,579, in the name of Bruce Kostreski, filed Apr. 26, 1994 and entitled "Extended Range Video On Demand System"). In the network illustrated in FIG. 1, the drop to the subcriber's premises is a wired ADSL loop.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network interface module in the DET 100 connects to an ADSL multiplexer/demultiplexer 201 similar to the in-home ADSL unit in the above discussed Litteral et al. Patent. As described in that patent, the connection between the network interface module of the DET 100 and the in-home ADSL unit 201 may consist of an RJ48C line and connectors. Such a link comprises six wire pairs, two for the broadband data, two for upstream signaling and two for downstream signaling. However, according to the present invention, the distribution on the premise will differ in the region indicated by the broken lines 500, as is described in detail hereinafter.

Each ADSL subscriber line 203 connects to an ADSL bay 205 located in or associated with the subcriber's local central office. For each subscriber line 203, the ADSL bay 205 includes an ADSL multiplexer/demultiplexer similar to the central office ADSL unit in the above discussed Litteral et al. Patent. The ADSL bay 205 provides transport for voice signals on the subscriber loop to and from the associated voice switch 207. The ADSL bay 205 also connects to an access concentrator 209 for providing two-way signaling connections through an X0.25 type packet switched data network 211. The ADSL bay 205 also receives broadband digital signals for downstream transport over the ADSL line 203 to each subcriber's premises from a digital cross connect switch 213, labelled "Access DCS" in the drawing. One ADSL line 203 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 (not shown) or to the TV set 100'. The various Access DCS switches throughout the network are controlled by switch controller 212.

If the ADSL bay 205 is local, i.e. located in the same telephone company central office as the cross connect switch DCS 213, the ADSL bay 205 connects to the Access DCS 213 via an appropriate number of local DS1 connections 215. 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 213 via a SONET type optical fiber link 217 providing an appropriate number of multiplexed channels to service the number of subscribers connected to the particular ADSL bay.

Video Information service Providers (VIP's) may access the downstream broadband portion of the system at a hub location (not shown) within a given LATA. The hub will not perform any switching. High capacity optical fiber links are aggregated at the hub to provide each VIP with a number of connections (e.g. one or more OC-3 links) from their respective video server to each Access DCS within the LATA.

The Access DCS 213 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 subcriber'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 211 and the signaling channel on the ADSL subscriber loops 203.

The Level 1 Gateway 221 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. Normally, each subscriber accesses the Level 1 Gateway (e.g. to select and access a particular VIP's server) by operation of a remote control device which causes the subcriber's DET 100 to transmit data signals to the Level 1 Gateway via the 16 kbits/s control channel and the X.25 packet switched data network 211. The Level 1 Gateway transmits one or more selection menus to the subcriber's DET 100 as screens of text data carried by the same path back through the network.

In the present implementation, text or graphics information from the Level 1 Gateway is displayed as a page of data. Alternatively, the text or graphics data could be overlaid on a video display received through the broadband network, e.g. over one of the broadcast channels carried through the more advanced networks discussed below.

In a typical scenario, the user would turn on the DET terminal 100, and in response to data signals from the Level 1 Gateway 221, the terminal would display an initial selection menu. The subscriber would input a selection, and in response to an appropriate data signal from the DET 100, the Level 1 Gateway 221 would instruct the various network components to set up a virtual circuit to the level 2 gateway of a selected VIP for signaling purposes and a direct downstream path from the VIP's server through the digital cross-connect switch 213 for video transmission.

The Level 1 Gateway 221 accumulates usage statistics relating to the broadband communication links through the network and supplies those statistics to a billing system, e.g. to a carrier access billing system (CABS) 227 as shown in FIG. 1. The Level 1 Gateway 221 also exchanges various network operational status information with the switch controller 212 and with a video provider service center (VPSC) 231.

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, etc. The level 2 gateway will download video or audio menus to each subcriber's DET for display, thereby allowing each subscriber to select desired information. Once a subscriber makes a selection, the level 2 gateway will signal the appropriate server to schedule transmission of the selected information through the established downstream video transmission path. The Level 1 Gateway accumulates connectivity charge information for purposes of billing each called VIP. The level 2 gateway records transactions, e.g. movies viewed, by each subscriber for billing purposes. The level 2 gateway also interacts with the DET 100 and controls the associated servers to download executable program code for storage in the DET system memory.

The switch controller 212 monitors operations of the digital cross connect switches 213 and provides appropriate information to the Level 1 Gateway. For example, if the switch controller 212 indicates that a broadband communication link through one of the switches has failed for some reason, the Level 1 Gateway will terminate its accumulation of usage data for billing for the particular broadband session. The video provider service center (VPSC) 231 performs a related monitoring function with regard to the ADSL loops.

The ADSL bays 205 monitor communications over the subscriber lines 203 by periodically enquiring as to the status of each on-premise ADSL unit 201. The ADSL bays 205 in turn inform the video provider service center (VPSC) 231 of any detected failures via data connections to that center (only one such data connection is illustrated in FIG. 1). In the presently preferred embodiment of the network of FIG. 1, the service center (VPSC) 231 is manned with operations support personnel. In response to a failure alarm indicating one of the ADSL lines is down, the center 231 provides a display for review by one of the technicians. A VIP may also call in and indicate that the VIP's system 252 has detected some form of failure. Based on the displayed information and/or the information from the VIP, the technician decides whether in fact a failure has occurred. If so, the technician initiates an X.25 data call and transmission of a message from the video provider service center (VPSC) 231 to the Level 1 Gateway 221 identifying the failed link and instructing the Gateway 221 to tear down the particular broadband link. The Level 1 Gateway 221 terminates its accumulation of usage time data for that link and instructs the switch controller 212 to tear down the link.

Upon detection of a fault and reporting thereof to the video provider service center (VPSC) 231, person