U.S. patent application number 09/271878 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for telecommunications interface device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to CHILAMAKURI, CHENCHU, HU, QI, KOU, SHO, SHIMA, HISATO, VEMURI, RATNA.
Application Number | 20010043700 09/271878 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23037468 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010043700 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIMA, HISATO ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE DEVICE
Abstract
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention
include a peripheral device connected to a telecommunications
network via a telephone line and connected to a multimedia network
via a high-speed serial interface. The peripheral device
establishes and maintains multiple logical connections between
devices in the multimedia network and devices in the
telecommunications network.
Inventors: |
SHIMA, HISATO; (SUNNYVALE,
CA) ; KOU, SHO; (SARATOGA, CA) ; CHILAMAKURI,
CHENCHU; (FREMONT, CA) ; HU, QI; (SANTA CLARA,
CA) ; VEMURI, RATNA; (SAN JOSE, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN HENDERSON FARABOW
GARRETT & DUNNER
1300 I STREET N W
WASHINGTON
DC
200053315
|
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
23037468 |
Appl. No.: |
09/271878 |
Filed: |
March 18, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/399.01 ;
379/93.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 9/40 20220501; H04L
69/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/399.01 ;
379/93.05 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00; H04M
011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A telecommunications device for connection via a telephone line
and a high-speed serial interface between a telecommunications
network and a multimedia network having multiple consumer
electronics devices coupled through a high-speed serial bus, the
telecommunications device comprising: means for receiving a call
request for a connection between the multimedia network and the
telecommunications network; means for allocating bandwidth to the
requested connection; means for establishing the requested
connection; and means for sending digital signals back and forth
between the multimedia network and the telecommunications
network.
2. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the means for
receiving a call request comprises means for receiving a data call
request.
3. The telecommunications device of claim 2, wherein the means for
receiving a call request comprises means for receiving a voice call
request.
4. The telecommunications device of claim 3, wherein the means for
establishing comprises: means for broadcasting an incoming call
indication to at least one of the consumer electronics devices in
the multimedia network in response to receiving a voice call
request from the telecommunications network.
5. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the high-speed
serial bus supports data rates of greater than 10 Mbps.
6. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the high-speed
serial bus is an IEEE 1394 bus.
7. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the bandwidth
allocation means comprises means for sending a bandwidth release
request to each of the active consumer electronics devices in the
multimedia network.
8. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the bandwidth
allocation means comprises means for allocating a minimum amount of
bandwidth to each established connection.
9. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the bandwidth
allocation means comprises: means for initiating an answer machine
function if the amount of bandwidth needed for the connection is
unavailable.
10. The telecommunications device of claim 1, wherein the bandwidth
allocation means comprises: means for sending a connection
unavailable message if the amount of bandwidth needed for the
connection is unavailable.
11. A method for connecting, through a telephone line, a telephone
network and a multimedia network having multiple consumer
electronics devices coupled though a high-speed serial bus, the
method comprising the steps of: receiving a call request;
determining whether sufficient bandwidth is available to establish
and maintain the requested connection; and establishing the
requested connection between the multimedia network and the
telecommunications network.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising: sending a bandwidth release
request to active consumer electronics devices in the multimedia
network if sufficient bandwidth is not available to establish and
maintain the requested connection.
13. The method of claim 12, comprising: initiating a telephone
answer function if the active consumer electronics devices do not
release a sufficient amount of bandwidth to establish and maintain
the requested connection.
14. The method of claim 12 comprising: sending a connection
unavailable message if the active consumer electronics devices do
not release a sufficient amount of bandwidth to establish and
maintain the requested connection.
15. An apparatus, for connection via a telephone line and a
high-speed serial interface between a telecommunications network
and a multimedia network including consumer electronics devices
coupled through a high-speed serial bus, said apparatus comprising:
a high-speed serial interface; a telephone network interface
connected to the telecommunications network through the telephone
line; and a controller for establishing multiple simultaneous
connections between the consumer electronics devices and the
telecommunications network.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the high-speed serial
interface supports data rates of greater than 10 Mbps.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the high-speed serial
interface is an IEEE 1394 interface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to telephone-based
interfaces with telecommunications networks, and more particularly,
to methods and systems for connecting a telecommunications network
to a network having devices coupled through a high speed digital
bus.
[0002] In standard telephone service, sometimes referred to as
"plain old telephone service" or "POTS," peripheral devices (e.g.,
telephones, modems, etc.) transmit analog voice signals over copper
wire telephone lines to a telephone office, such as a local area
telephone exchange. At the exchange, the analog signal is converted
to a 64-Kbps (kilobits per second) digital signal. Generally,
conventional telephone service is thereafter restricted to a speed
of 64 Kbps.
[0003] This standard telephone service suffers several
disadvantages. First, the slow-speed and low bandwidth of
conventional telephone service makes it impossible to access more
than one outside telecommunications network at a time. For example,
a user could not talk on the telephone while surfing the Internet.
The only currently available solution is to physically install a
second telephone line. Second, current telephone service is
physically inflexible. For example, a user desiring access to
outside telecommunications networks from an additional room in a
house must physically install an additional length of copper wire
telephone line and a telephone jack to that room.
[0004] New wide band services have been developed to allow more
data to be transmitted over existing copper wire telephone lines
than standard telephone service. Examples of wide band services
include the digital subscriber line (xDSL) standard and the
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). The xDSL standard,
which employs defined modulation techniques to digitally pack data
onto the copper wire telephone lines, supports data rates of
greater than 1 Mbps (mega bits per second). More information about
the xDSL standard and ISDN is available from the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU). These new services, while a step in
the right direction, do not solve the above noted problems with
standard telephone service.
[0005] Recent advances in digital bus technology make possible the
interconnection of a variety of consumer electronic devices to form
a multimedia network. One such digital bus technology is the
IEEE-1394 digital interface standard, which enables data
communications of greater than 100 Mbps among consumer electronic
devices, such as video camcorders, electronic still cameras, video
cassette recorders, personal computers, and any other digital
audio/visual equipment that include a serial interface. More
complete information regarding the IEEE-1394 standard is available
from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE).
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical multimedia network
100, including various consumer electronic devices 110-150 coupled
through a high-speed serial bus 160. The high-speed serial bus 160
may be, for example, an IEEE 1394 bus. Generally, the multimedia
network 100 is located in one physical building, such as a home or
an office. The exemplary multimedia network 100 in FIG. 1 includes
digital video camera 110, digital video monitor 120, personal
computer 130, digital VCR 140, and printer 150. The high-speed
serial bus 160 supports communication of digital audio/video data
and computer transmission data between the network devices. One
disadvantage of multimedia network 100 is that consumer electronics
devices 110-150 cannot access devices in an outside
telecommunications network and vice versa.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Systems and methods consistent with the present invention
overcome the above and other disadvantages in conventional
telephone service and home multimedia networks by providing
multiple logical connections between an outside telecommunications
network and a multimedia network having devices coupled through a
high-speed digital bus. In particular, a system consistent with the
present invention includes a peripheral device connected to a
telephone network through a telephone line and connected to a
multimedia network through a high-speed serial bus. The peripheral
device establishes and maintains multiple logical connections
between devices in the multimedia network and devices in the
telecommunications network.
[0008] A method consistent with the present invention connects a
multimedia network having devices coupled through a high-speed
digital bus to an outside telecommunications network. In
particular, a peripheral device receives a call request. The
peripheral device then determines whether sufficient bandwidth is
available to establish and maintain the requested connection. If
so, the peripheral device allocates bandwidth to the requested
connection.
[0009] The foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary only and should not restrict the scope of
the claimed invention. Both are intended to provide examples and
explanations to enable others to practice the invention. The
accompanying drawings, which form part of the specification,
illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention and,
together with the following detailed description, explain the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the Drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional network of
devices coupled through a high-speed serial bus;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of telecommunications system
including a telecommunications network coupled to a multimedia
network through a peripheral device consistent with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a peripheral device consistent
with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method consistent with
the present invention for establishing and maintaining an incoming
voice call from an outside telecommunications network;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method consistent with
the present invention for terminating a call between a multimedia
network and a telecommunications network;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method consistent with
the present invention for establishing and maintaining an outgoing
voice call from a multimedia network to an outside
telecommunications network;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method consistent with
the present invention for establishing and maintaining a data call
between a multimedia network and an telecommunications network;
and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method consistent with
the present invention for allocating bandwidth to requested
connections between a multimedia network and an outside
telecommunications network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals refer to
the same or similar elements.
[0020] In accordance with systems and methods consistent with the
present invention, a peripheral device facilitates multiple logical
connections between a multimedia network having multiple consumer
electronic devices coupled though a high-speed serial bus and an
outside telecommunications network. Using high-speed serial bus
standards (e.g., the IEEE-1394 standard) as well as wide band
services available on the telecommunications network (e.g., XDSL
standards), peripheral device is capable of establishing,
maintaining and disconnecting multiple logical connections between
the devices in multimedia network and the devices in the outside
telecommunications network through a single telephone line.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of a communications
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The communications system includes a telecommunications network
210, a peripheral device 230, and a multimedia network 100. Line
260 is used to indicate that peripheral device 230 and network 100
are preferably, although not necessarily, housed together in the
user's home.
[0022] Telecommunications network 210 may be any type of voice or
data network, synchronous or asynchronous. For example,
telecommunications network 210 may be a POTS, a cable network, or
the Internet. Telecommunications network 210 interfaces with
peripheral device 230 via a media, such as a telephone line
220.
[0023] Peripheral device 230 may include, for example, a telephone
or a modem or other telecommunications peripheral. Peripheral
device 230 may include any telephone-based peripheral that is
capable of performing the methods described herein. Peripheral
device 230 includes a network interface which digitally packs data
onto telephone line 220 using wide band services such as xDSL or
ISDN. With xDSL standards, the bandwidth available in the
connection between the IEEE 1394-based peripheral device 230 and
telecommunications network 210 is at least 1 Mbps. As used herein,
the term XDSL refers to all types of digital subscriber lines, such
as asymmetric DSL (ADSL), symmetric DSL (SDSL), and high-data-rate
DSL (HDSL). Peripheral device 230 also includes a serial interface,
which complies with a serial interface standard for networking
consumer electronic devices, for example the IEEE 1394 standard. In
accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard, the bandwidth available in
the connection between peripheral device 230 and multimedia network
100 is at least 100 Mbps.
[0024] Multimedia network 100 includes high-speed serial bus 160,
such as an IEEE 1394 bus. As used herein, "high-speed" refers to
communications of at least 10 Mbps. Multimedia network 100 includes
various consumer electronic devices 110-150 coupled through the
high-speed serial bus 160. Consumer electronic devices 110-150 may
include, for example, a printer 110, a digital monitor 120, a video
camcorder 130, an electronic still camera 140, a video cassette
recorder 150, digital speakers, a personal computer, an audio
actuator, a video actuator, or any other consumer electronics
device that includes a serial interface which complies with a
serial interface standard for networking consumer electronic
devices, for example, the IEEE 1394 standard.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary peripheral device
230 consistent with the present invention. In this embodiment,
peripheral device 230 includes a network interface card 310, a
microcontroller 320, a memory 330, and a serial bus interface 340,
all interconnected via an internal system bus 350.
[0026] Network interface card 310 provides physical connection to
telecommunications network 210. Network interface card 310
transmits and receives data and voice signals over telephone line
220 using wide band services available on telecommunications
network 210, such as XDSL. Network interface card 310 may be, for
example, any available modem card capable of transmitting and
receiving xDSL signals (or ISDN signals). Network interface card
310 may also receive analog voice data from an optional telephone
handset (not shown).
[0027] Serial bus interface 340 complies with a serial interface
standard for networking with consumer electronics devices 110-150
in multimedia network 100. For example, the serial bus interface
and multimedia network may use the IEEE 1394 standard. Serial bus
structure 340 thus provides the function of receiving signals from
and transmitting signals to consumer electronics devices 110-150.
It may be, for example, a model EHA-8945 or EHA-8940 interface
available from Adaptec Corporation.
[0028] Memory 330 provides temporary storage for the voice and data
signals transferred between outside telecommunications network 210
and multimedia network 100. Specifically, memory 330 buffers the
digital voice and data signals received by network interface card
310 from telecommunications network 210 before the signals are
transmitted by bus interface 340 to telecommunications network 100.
Likewise, memory 330 buffers the digital voice and data signals
received by bus interface 340 from multimedia network 100 before
the signals are transmitted by network interface card 310 to
telecommunications network 210. Memory 330 preferably is a DRAM,
but may constitute any other high-speed read/write memory.
[0029] Microcontroller 320 preferably controls various operations
of network interface card 310 and bus interface 340. For example,
microcontroller 320 preferably determines whether sufficient
bandwidth exists to support a requested connection and, if so,
allocates bandwidth to the requested connection. Microcontroller
320 maintains a real time accounting of the amount of bandwidth
currently used on high-speed serial bus 160 and telephone line 220.
From this total, microcontroller 320 can calculate the remaining
amount of bandwidth available for any newly requested connection.
Microcontroller 320 may include a general purpose microprocessor
such as a Pentium II, or may comprise a special processor
specifically designed for this application.
[0030] When initially connected to multimedia network 100,
peripheral device 230 identifies itself to the other consumer
electronics devices in network 100 using, for example, the IEEE
1394 protocols, thereby making its services and capabilities known
and available in accordance with the bus reset defined by the
high-speed serial bus standard. After this bus reset procedure,
consumer electronics devices 110-150 in multimedia network 100 can
access devices in outside telecommunications network 210 through
peripheral device 230. In addition, devices in outside
telecommunications network 210 can access devices in multimedia
network 100.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary protocols consistent with the
present invention for establishing and maintaining an incoming
voice call connection between a device in telecommunications
network 210 and a device in multimedia network 100. When a caller
in telecommunications network 210 dials up the destination address
(e.g., telephone number) assigned to multimedia network 100,
peripheral device 230 receives a voice call request in accordance
with, for example, xDSL standards (stage 405).
[0032] Peripheral device 230 allocates the amount of bandwidth
needed to support the voice signal (e.g., 64 Kbps) to the voice
connection (stage 410). Peripheral device 230 then broadcasts the
voice signal by sending an incoming call indication (e.g., a ring
signal) to the consumer electronics devices in multimedia network
100 (stage 415). Alternatively, peripheral device 230 sends an
incoming call indication (e.g., a ring signal) to only those
consumer electronics devices capable of receiving voice signals. In
a preferred embodiment, peripheral device 230 uses asynchronous
data transfer protocols during broadcast stage 415.
[0033] If none of the consumer electronics devices in multimedia
network 100 answer the incoming call indication in stage 420,
peripheral device 230 initiates a voice mail or answering machine
function by, for example, playing a prerecorded message and
recording the caller's message for play back at a later time (stage
425).
[0034] On the other hand, if a consumer electronics device in
multimedia network 100 responds to the voice call, peripheral
device 230 receives a "call accepted" message from the consumer
electronics device (stage 430). In response, peripheral device 230
immediately stops broadcasting the ring signal (stage 435).
Peripheral device 230 then sends a "call connected" message to the
originating device in telecommunications network 210 (stage
440).
[0035] After the call is connected, peripheral device 230 transfers
the digital voice signals back and forth between the responding
device in multimedia network 100 and the originating device in
telecommunications network 210, preferably using isochronous data
transfer protocols (stage 445).
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary protocols consistent with the
present invention for disconnecting a connection between a device
in multimedia network 100 and a device in telecommunications
network 210. If either one of the two devices involved in the
communication attempts to disconnect, peripheral device 230
receives a termination request (stage 510). Peripheral device 230
sends the termination request to the second device involved in the
communication (stage 520). In response, the second device sends a
"termination confirmation" message which is received by peripheral
device 230 (stage 530). Peripheral device 230 then sends the
termination confirmation message to the first device (stage
540).
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary protocols consistent with the
present invention for establishing and maintaining an outgoing
voice call connection between a device in multimedia network 100
and a device in telecommunications network 210. First, one of the
devices in multimedia network 100 sends an outgoing voice call
request and a destination address (e.g., telephone number) to
peripheral device 230 (stage 605). In response, peripheral device
230 allocates the necessary amount of available bandwidth (e.g., 64
Kbps) on serial bus 240 and on the telephone line 220 (stage 610).
After allocating the minimum amount of bandwidth to the requested
connection, peripheral device 230 sends an incoming call message to
the destination device in telecommunications network 210 (stage
615). When the destination device accepts the call, it sends a call
accepted signal which is received by peripheral device 230 (stage
620). Peripheral device 230 then sends a call connected message to
the originating consumer electronics device in multimedia network
100 (stage 630).
[0038] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the destination
device in outside telecommunications network 210 need not recognize
the xDSL standard. Typically, the local exchange can convert
digital xDSL signals into signals (such as analog signals) that the
destination device can recognize.
[0039] After the call is connected, peripheral device 230 transfers
the digital voice signals back and forth between the responding
device in multimedia network 100 and the originating device in
telecommunications network 210 (stage 635). Peripheral device 230
preferably uses isochronous data transfer protocols. If either one
of the two devices involved in the communication attempts to
disconnect, peripheral device 230 follows the disconnection process
in FIG. 5.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary protocols consistent with the
present invention for establishing and maintaining data
communications between multimedia network 100 and
telecommunications network 210. First, the originating device
(whether in multimedia network 100 or telecommunications network
210) sends a data call request and a destination address (e.g., an
internet protocol or "IP" address) which is received by peripheral
device 230 (stage 705). Peripheral device 230 initially allocates a
pre-defined minimum amount of bandwidth (e.g., 64 Kbps) to the data
communication (stage 710).
[0041] After allocating the minimum amount of bandwidth, peripheral
device 230 sends a data call indication to the destination device
(stage 715). In response, the destination device sends a call
accepted message (stage 720) which is received by peripheral device
230. In turn, peripheral device 230 sends the originating device a
call connected message (stage 725).
[0042] After connection of the communication, the originating
device sends a protocol negotiation message, which is received by
peripheral device 230, and which indicates the originating device's
capabilities in terms of speed of communication (stage 730).
Peripheral device 230 then forwards the protocol negotiation
message to the destination device (stage 730). In response, the
destination device sends a second protocol negotiation message
which is received by peripheral device 230 (stage 735). The second
protocol negotiation message indicates the destination device's
capabilities in terms of speed of communication. Peripheral device
230 then forwards this second protocol negotiation message to the
originating device (stage 735). In this manner, peripheral device
230 assists the originating device and the destination device in
determining the proper speed of communication; that is, the speed
which both the originating device and the destination device can
support.
[0043] After the protocol negotiation stage, peripheral device 230
transfers the digital data signals back and forth between
multimedia network 100 and telecommunications network 210 (stage
740). At anytime after the protocol negotiation stage, the
originating device may send a request for additional bandwidth to
peripheral device 230 (stage 745). In response, peripheral device
230 determines whether the requested bandwidth is readily available
(stage 750). If the bandwidth is available, peripheral device 230
allocates the additional requested bandwidth to the connection
(stage 755). On the other hand, if the requested bandwidth is not
available, peripheral device 230 sends the device a message denying
the bandwidth request (step 760). One skilled in the art will
appreciate that, when only some of the requested amount of
bandwidth is available, a peripheral device consistent with the
present invention might allocate a partial portion of the total
amount of bandwidth requested.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a bandwidth allocation
method consistent with the present invention. As noted above,
whenever peripheral device 230 receives a call request from outside
telecommunications network 210 or multimedia network 100 (stage
810), peripheral device 230 attempts to allocate bandwidth to
establish the connection. In response to an incoming or outgoing
call request, peripheral device 230 first determines whether the
amount of bandwidth needed to support the connection (e.g., 64
Kbps) is available (stage 820). If so, peripheral device 230
allocates at least a minimum amount of bandwidth (e.g., 64 Kbps) to
the connection (stage 830).
[0045] However, if the IEEE 1394-based peripheral device 230
determines that bandwidth sufficient to support the connection is
not available, it sends a bandwidth release request to each of the
active devices in multimedia network 100 (stage 840). Those devices
in multimedia network 100 using more than the minimum amount of
bandwidth (e.g., 64 Kbps) must release the additional bandwidth
(stage 850). After the request and release stages, peripheral
device 230 again determines whether sufficient available bandwidth
exists to support the requested connection (stage 860). If so,
peripheral device 230 allocates a minimum amount of bandwidth
(e.g., 64 Kbps) to the connection (stage 870). In this manner,
peripheral device 230 provides for dynamic reallocation of the
system bandwidth.
[0046] On the other hand, if peripheral device 230 determines that
there is still not sufficient bandwidth available to support the
connection, peripheral device 230 initiates a voice mail or
answering machine function (in the case of voice signals) or sends
a connection unavailable message to the requesting device (in the
case of data signals) (stage 880).
[0047] Whenever a connection between multimedia network 100 and
outside telecommunications network 210 is disconnected, peripheral
device 230 makes the bandwidth from the terminated connection
available to both newly requested connections (through the stages
in FIG. 8) and established connections. In the case of established
connections, peripheral device 230 preferably transmits a message
to the active devices in multimedia network 100 informing them of
the availability of the additional bandwidth. In one embodiment,
peripheral device gives priority to those active devices which
previously were unsuccessful in requesting additional bandwidth
from peripheral device 230.
[0048] While there has been illustrated and described preferred
embodiments and methods of the present invention, those skilled in
the art will understand that various changes and modifications may
be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof,
without departing from the true scope of the invention.
[0049] In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular element, technique or implementation to the teachings of
the present invention without departing from the central scope of
the invention. Therefore, this invention should not be limited to
the particular embodiments and methods disclosed herein, but should
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *