U.S. patent application number 13/197267 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for network playback of video programming after customer premises service interruption.
This patent application is currently assigned to VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.. Invention is credited to Robert D. Farris, R. Andrew Poole.
Application Number | 20110289526 13/197267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44455543 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110289526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poole; R. Andrew ; et
al. |
November 24, 2011 |
NETWORK PLAYBACK OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING AFTER CUSTOMER PREMISES
SERVICE INTERRUPTION
Abstract
An exemplary method includes monitoring a condition relating to
power at a customer premises to automatically detect a power outage
at the customer premises, the power outage causing an interruption
to a video service provided through a network to a video device
within the customer premises, sending a notice of the interruption
through the network to a node having a video recorder in the
network, recording, at the video recorder in the network, a video
program that was being accessed by the video device within the
customer premises before the interruption, at least from a point in
the video program substantially corresponding to a point when the
interruption occurred, and transmitting at least a portion of the
recorded video program starting from the point substantially
corresponding to the identified point when the interruption
occurred, from the video recorder through the network to the video
device within the customer premises.
Inventors: |
Poole; R. Andrew; (Round
Hill, VA) ; Farris; Robert D.; (Sterling,
VA) |
Assignee: |
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
44455543 |
Appl. No.: |
13/197267 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11215014 |
Aug 31, 2005 |
8006275 |
|
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13197267 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 65/4084 20130101;
H04L 65/4076 20130101; H04N 21/8455 20130101; H04L 65/80 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/4425 20130101; H04N 21/6408
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/14 |
International
Class: |
H04H 60/32 20080101
H04H060/32 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: monitoring, by a device at a customer
premises, a condition relating to power at the customer premises to
automatically detect a power outage at the customer premises, the
power outage causing an interruption to a video service provided
through a network to a video device within the customer premises;
sending a notice of the interruption through the network to a node
having a video recorder in the network; recording, at the video
recorder in the network and during the interruption caused by the
power outage at the customer premises, a video program that was
being accessed by the video device within the customer premises
before the interruption, at least from a point in the video program
substantially corresponding to a point when the interruption
occurred; and after communication through the network with the
video device within the customer premises is resumed after an end
of the interruption, transmitting at least a portion of the
recorded video program starting from the point substantially
corresponding to the identified point when the interruption
occurred, from the video recorder through the network to the video
device within the customer premises.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitored condition relates
to power supplied from a commercial power grid to the customer
premises.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the power outage comprises a
loss, at the customer premises, of the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to the customer premises.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein: the video device within the
customer premises normally utilizes the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to the customer premises; and the loss, at
the customer premises, of the power supplied from the commercial
power grid to the customer premises disables the video device to
cause the interruption to the video service.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein: the device at the customer
premises that monitors the condition relating to power at the
customer premises normally utilizes the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to the customer premises and utilizes battery
backup power when the power supplied from the commercial power grid
fails; and the detection of the power outage at the customer
premises comprises detecting a switchover, by the device at the
customer premises that monitors the condition relating to power at
the customer premises, from utilizing the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to utilizing battery backup power.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending of the notice of the
interruption is initiated in response to the detected power outage
by the device at the customer premises that monitors the condition
relating to power at the customer premises.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the notice of the interruption
includes identification data corresponding to at least one of the
customer premises, the device at the customer premises that
monitors the condition relating to power at the customer premises,
and the video device within the customer premises.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the notice of the interruption
further includes data identifying a point corresponding to when the
interruption occurred.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the data identifying the point
corresponding to when the interruption occurred comprises a time
stamp identifying a time at which the power outage is detected.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when communication
through the network to the video device within the customer
premises resumes after an end of the interruption, transmitting an
offer to the viewer within the customer premises to resume the
video program that was being viewed within the customer premises;
wherein the transmitting of at least a portion of the recorded
video program to the video device within the customer premises is
responsive to an acceptance of the offer by the viewer.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein: the network comprises a
broadband video distribution network; and the device at the
customer premises that monitors the condition relating to power at
the customer premises is a network interface device at an edge of
the broadband video distribution network.
12. A method comprising: monitoring, by a device at a customer
premises, a condition relating to power at the customer premises to
automatically detect a power outage at the customer premises, the
power outage causing an interruption to a video-on-demand service
provided through a network to a video device within the customer
premises; sending, by the device at the customer premises, a notice
of the interruption through the network to a node having a
video-on-demand server in the network; stopping, by the
video-on-demand server in response to the notice of the
interruption, a transmission of a video program that was being
accessed by the video device within the customer premises before
the interruption; and noting, by the video-on-demand server, a
point in the video program substantially corresponding to a point
when the interruption occurred for use as a new transmission
starting point upon a resumption of the video-on-demand
service.
13. A method comprising: monitoring, by a device at a customer
premises, a condition relating to power at the customer premises to
automatically detect a power outage at the customer premises, the
power outage causing an interruption to a video service provided
through a network to a video device within the customer premises;
sending, by the device at the customer premises, a notice of the
interruption through the network to a node in the network; and
after communication through the network with the video device
within the customer premises is resumed after an end of the
interruption, transmitting, by the node through the network to the
video device within the customer premises, at least a portion of a
video program that was being accessed by the video device within
the customer premises before the interruption, the transmission
starting from a point in the video program that substantially
corresponds to a point when the interruption occurred.
14. An apparatus, comprising: a broadband network-side interface
for connection to a broadband medium at an edge of a digital
broadband network, the broadband network-side interface providing
two-way communication to and from one or more network devices via
the broadband medium; a customer-side interface for connection to a
customer premises medium, the customer-side interface providing
two-way communication to and from a video device within the
customer premises via the customer premises medium; an internal
link between the broadband network-side interface and the
customer-side interface; a programmable data processing system in
communication with the interfaces for controlling operations of the
interface device; and programming for controlling operation of the
programmable data processing system, for causing the interface
device to: monitor a condition relating to power at the customer
premises to automatically detect a power outage at the customer
premises, the power outage causing an interruption to a video
distribution service provided through the digital broadband network
to the video device within the customer premises; and send a notice
of the interruption through the digital broadband network to a node
of the digital broadband network for use by the node in providing a
video recovery service in response to the interruption.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the monitored condition
relates to power supplied from a commercial power grid to the
customer premises.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power outage comprises a
loss, at the customer premises, of the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to the customer premises.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the apparatus normally
utilizes the power supplied from the commercial power grid to the
customer premises and utilizes battery backup power when the power
supplied from the commercial power grid fails; and the detection of
the power outage at the customer premises comprises detecting a
switchover, by the apparatus, from utilizing the power supplied
from the commercial power grid to utilizing battery backup
power.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the notice of the
interruption includes time data identifying when the interruption
was detected and identification data identifying at least one of
the customer premises, the apparatus, and the video device within
the customer premises.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is a network
interface device at an edge of the digital broadband network.
20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the programming for
controlling operation of the programmable data processing system
further causes the interface device to: continue to monitor, after
the detection of the power outage, the condition relating to power
at the customer premises to automatically detect an end of the
power outage at the customer premises; and send a power resumption
notice through the digital broadband network to the node of the
digital broadband network for use by the node in providing the
video recovery service.
21. A system comprising: a network interface device located at a
customer premises and through which a video service is provided to
a video device within the customer premises by way of a network,
wherein the network interface device monitors a condition relating
to power at the customer premises to automatically detect a power
outage at the customer premises, the power outage causing an
interruption to the video service provided to the video device
within the customer premises by way of the network, and sends a
notice of the interruption caused by the power outage through the
network to a node in the network; and server equipment included at
or connected to the node in the network, the server equipment
configured to record, during the power outage, at least a portion
of the video program in response to the notice of the interruption
and to transmit, after the power outage ends and the video service
resumes, the at least a portion of the recorded video program
through the network to the video device within the customer
premises, for viewing by a viewer from a point substantially
corresponding to when the power outage occurred.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the monitored condition relates
to power supplied from a commercial power grid to the customer
premises.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the power outage comprises a
loss, at the customer premises, of the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to the customer premises.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein: the video device within the
customer premises normally utilizes the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to the customer premises; and the loss, at
the customer premises, of the power supplied from the commercial
power grid to the customer premises disables the video device to
cause the interruption to the video service.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein: the device at the customer
premises that monitors the condition relating to power at the
customer premises normally utilizes the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to the customer premises and utilizes battery
backup power when the power supplied from the commercial power grid
fails; and the detection of the power outage at the customer
premises comprises detecting a switchover, by the device at the
customer premises that monitors the condition relating to power at
the customer premises, from utilizing the power supplied from the
commercial power grid to utilizing battery backup power.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/215,014, filed on Aug. 31, 2005, and
entitled NETWORK PLAYBACK OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING AFTER CUSTOMER
PREMISES SERVICE INTERRUPTION, the content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present subject matter relates to techniques and
equipment to detect an interruption, e.g. a power outage, that
disrupts a video program viewing capability at a customer premises,
and provide a replay of the program that was being viewed, from a
point in the program substantially corresponding to the point of
interruption, when video service resumes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Video or television type programming is an extremely popular
form of entertainment as well as a medium for distribution of news
and other information. Video programming includes images, typically
representing real-time variable or moving imagery, usually with
associated audio information. TV viewing of such material has
become ubiquitous throughout the United States and much of the rest
of the world. Distribution technology is rapidly evolving from
analog over-the-air broadcasts to digital technologies using
satellite or optical fiber communications.
[0004] Conventional transmission facilities continually broadcast
the video material on a given channel. In digital networks, for
example, customer premises equipment or network switching equipment
allows subscribers to select video programs from a set of broadcast
program materials. Once selected, a decoder receives the data
stream of video material in a continuous downstream data feed and
processes the data feed for presentation of the video program to
the viewer via a television set or monitor. In broadcast systems,
video on demand (VOD) and pay-per-view (PPV) services permit users
to select a broadcast channel transmitting a movie or other program
material for viewing at a time of the user's choice. The program is
selected at the viewer's home, and the program is received at a
designated, scheduled time.
[0005] Video recorders were developed to provide viewers with
increased flexibility, for example, to record a broadcast program
for later viewing (time shifting) or to record and keep a copy of a
favored program (archival recording). Consumer devices for video
recording have evolved from the analog video cassette recorder or
"VCR" that utilizes magnetic tape to digital video recorders or
"DVRs" that utilize hard disk drives, optical disks or the like. In
addition to traditional programmed recording of selected video
materials, a DVR, also sometimes referred to as a "personal video
recorder" or "PVR," offers enhanced capabilities of "pausing,"
"rewinding" and "fast-forwarding" live television (TV) broadcast
while it is being recorded. Examples of such devices include TiVo
and Replay TV.
[0006] Situations occur when events at the customer premises may
interrupt video service. For example, when the commercial power to
the premises goes out, the video equipment can no longer provide
television viewing to the customers at the effected location(s).
Existing analog and digital recording devices can not address this
issue, as they typically suffer the same cause(s) of service
interruption.
[0007] Recently, there have been proposals to utilize network
servers to record video information, in a manner so as to offer
digital recording as a service to network customers. Such systems,
sometimes referred to as "network personal video recorders" or
"NPVRs," offer capabilities very similar to DVRs or PVRs but
without the requirement for each user to purchase and install a
recording device of their own within the customer premises.
Examples of NPVRs or similar server implemented video recording
services are described in U.S. Pat. No. No. 6,611,654, and in US
Patent Application Publications Nos. 2003/0192054, 2005/0120377,
2005/0144640. Although server-centric recording equipment would
typically not be subject to localized events causing video service
interruptions at individual customer premises, such as power
outages, proposals for this type of service have not addressed
problems caused by localized service interruptions.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,829,781 discloses a technique for creating
summaries of broadcast programming, either in a set-top box at the
customer premises or in a server in a data communication network.
Of note, one use of the summary functions is to provide a viewer a
summary of a program, when viewing of the program is interrupted.
However, the summary service is driven by user inputs. For example,
the user must interact with the set-top box or the server to
request creation of a summary of a program, viewing of which will
be interrupted, while the user is absent from the television
receiver. The viewer must request the summary creation prior to the
interruption. The viewer has the option to view the summary or
return to the program channel, when the viewer returns to the
television receiver. This approach records a summary in the form of
audio, still images and possible segments of the video imagery, but
it apparently does not record the actual video program. Also, by
requiring the user to initiate the creation of the summary, this
approach can not automatically detect service interruptions and can
not address issues related to power or other unexpected localized
interruptions of video service at or within the premises. If video
service is out, with respect to the set-top box and/or the user's
television, e.g. due to a power outage, the user can not interact
with the service to request creation of the summary.
[0009] Hence a need exists for a system and methodology to provide
a video recording service, to automatically provide a replay from
an appropriate point interrupted programming, in response to
localized service interruptions, such as may be caused by power
outages.
SUMMARY
[0010] The teachings herein alleviate one or more of the above
noted problems with prior video distribution and recording
technologies.
[0011] A recovery method for a video communication service provided
through a broadband communications network, might entail monitoring
a condition relating to receipt of video information through the
network at a device within the customer premises. This enables
automatic detection of an interruption impacting on the video
communication service within the customer premises. The detected
interruption is automatically noted at a node in the network. After
communication with the customer premises resumes after an end of
the interruption, the method includes transmitting at least a
portion of a stored copy of the video program, starting from a
point substantially corresponding to when the interruption
occurred, through the network to a device within the customer
premises, for viewing by a viewer.
[0012] For example, an interface device at the edge of the network
at or adjacent the customer premises might detect a service
interruption due to loss of power at the premises. The interface
device notifies a network based video recorder, which records the
program that was being viewed in the premises at the time of
interruption. If recording was not already in progress for another
reason, the recorder begins recording the program from
approximately the point/time of the interruption. When video
service resumes and the user begins viewing video again, the
network offers the viewer an option to receive a replay or playback
from storage of the program previously viewed, starting from the
point of interruption. If the user accepts this option, the
recorder sends the recorded video information, starting at about
the interruption point, through the network for presentation to the
viewer.
[0013] A system for implementing video recovery in event of an
interruption might utilize server equipment for connection at a
node within the broadband communication network and an interface
device for providing a communications interface at an edge of the
broadband communication network for the customer premises. The
server equipment stores a video program that was being viewed in
the customer premises when the interruption occurred. The interface
device is configured to detect the interruption and to send a
notice message through the network upon detecting the interruption.
The server equipment is configured to transmit at least a portion
of the stored video program through the network to a device within
the customer premises, for viewing by a viewer from the point
substantially corresponding to the identified point when the
interruption occurred, after service resumes.
[0014] The node that provides connection for the server equipment
is within the network in that it is part of the broadband network
providing services to the carrier's customers. Customer premises
equipment is outside of that network domain. The interface device
is at the edge of the network in that it is connected to the
network at the outer boundary and provides the interconnection
between the network domain and the customer premises domain.
Examples of the interface device are disclosed, which comprise some
network side elements and some customers premises side elements
with an internal communication link there between.
[0015] In the examples, the interface device detects an
interruption impacting video service by monitoring the status of
power in the customer premises. Typically, the interface device
receives normal power from the premises, but it has backup battery
available in the event of a power outage. Hence, the interruption
can be detected by sensing a switchover to the backup battery,
which usually corresponds to a power outage that will also disable
video equipment within the customer premises.
[0016] The server equipment can take several forms and operate in
somewhat different ways, depending on the video services offered
through the particular network. If the server offers a video on
demand (VOD) service, the server simply resumes VOD video
transmission at the appropriate point in the video, after video
service through the network resumes.
[0017] Other server equipment arrangements involve recording video,
e.g. from one or more program broadcasts carried by the network. In
one example, a network video recorder (NVR) records the broadcast
program being viewed, from the point corresponding to the
interruption, in response to notice from the interface device. The
NVR transmits the recorded version, that is to say starting from
the point corresponding to the interruption, when service resumes.
Another recording approach might record a plurality or even record
all of the programs broadcast through the network, for example, to
offer network customers a time shifted replay service. If such
recordings are already being made on a continuing/regular basis,
the replay for the interruption recovery service can use such a
recording. Much like the VOD situation, the server would transmit
the appropriate program from storage, but starting with a point
substantially corresponding to the time of interruption, after
service to the premises resumes.
[0018] In the examples, the server equipment offers the viewer a
choice whether or not to view the program from the point of
interruption when service resumes. If the viewer accepts the offer,
the server begins the post-interruption transmission of the stored
program.
[0019] The detailed description also encompasses examples of an
interface device for providing a communications interface between a
customer premises and a digital broadband communication network,
for use in a video recovery service. This device includes a
broadband network-side interface for two-way communications
connection to a broadband medium at an edge of the digital
broadband communication network; and a customer-side interface for
connection to a customer premises medium. The customer-side
interface provides two-way communication to and from a video device
within the customer premises. An internal link provides
communications between the broadband network-side interface and the
customer-side interface. The interface device also includes a
programmable data processing system in communication with the
interfaces for controlling at least some communications operations
through the interfaces; and programming for controlling operation
of the programmable data processing system. The programming causes
the interface device to perform steps, including monitoring a
condition relating to communications of video information through
the network to the video device within the customer premises, to
detect an interruption impacting on video service within the
customer premises. The interface device sends notice of the
detected interruption through the network to a node of the network
having a video storage for use in offering a viewer a replay of a
program that was being viewed before the interruption.
[0020] Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth
in part in the description which follows, and in part will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the
following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by
production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the
present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use
of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in
accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by
way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to
the same or similar elements.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an optical fiber to
the home network, carrying video and other services, which also
offers automatic network replay of interrupted video programming
responsive to interruption of service in the customer premises.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the
functional/logical elements of an Optical Network Terminal
(ONT).
[0024] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example of an
ONT, for use in the network of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a simplified signal/logical flow-chart, useful in
explaining the exchange of signals and attendant processing steps
in an example of a replay service provided for recovery from
interruption of video service due to a power outage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it
should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present
teachings may be practiced without such details. In other
instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and
circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without
detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the
present teachings.
[0027] An intelligent interface device at edge of network, such as
an optical network terminal on/at the customer premises, monitors a
parameter related to status of a video session in progress with a
set-top box or similar video decoder in the customer premises, to
detect an interruption. Typically, the interface device draws power
from the customer premises and has a battery back-up. Such an
interface device can detect a service interruption within the
customer premises, such as loss of power (e.g. when there is a
switch-over to the battery back-up). Upon detecting the
interruption, the interface device sends notice of the
interruption, typically indicating the customer (e.g. by an ID of
the interface, the decoder, the premises location or the customer).
The notice may identify the point of interruption, e.g. the time of
detecting the interruption. In some implementations, the notice may
also identify an aspect of one or more in-progress video sessions,
such as the program(s) being viewed via one or more set-top boxes
operating within the premises at the time of the interruption. The
interface device sends the interruption notice message to a network
node having or coupled to a device having a digital video storage
capability.
[0028] The particular program that was being viewed via the session
that was in progress when the interruption occurred is identified,
e.g. from network connectivity information or access control
information, or from a program identification contained in the
message. If the program is not a recorded program, e.g. from a
video on demand server, and/or the network is not already recording
the program, e.g. for another service, then a network video record
begins recording the programming in response to the interruption
notice. When the interruption is cleared and the set-top box or the
like comes back on line, a message is sent and presented to the
user, offering the option to resume the program viewing from the
point of interruption. If accepted, the element storing the program
and the network set-up a new session to the set-top box to allow
the user to view the recorded program, approximately from the point
of the interruption.
[0029] Reference now is made in detail to the examples illustrated
in the accompanying drawings and discussed below. FIG. 1
illustrates the elements of an exemplary network 1 in which this
network-centric video recovery-replay service may be offered. FIG.
1 shows a simplified architecture for a fiber to the home or fiber
to the building implementation of the network 1. The illustrated
network is just one example of a network that can provide digital
video services and support video recording as well as playback in
response to service interruptions. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the recovery service concepts may be implemented in
other video networks, just a few examples of which may be found in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,904,054, 6,898,276, 5,880,864 and 5,682,325 and/or
in US patent application publication 2005/0120377.
[0030] The intelligence to implement the monitoring and detection
of interruptions and attendant notice transmissions, at the edge of
the network 1, is implemented in optical network terminals (ONTs)
2, which connect to the local fiber distribution plant 3 of the
network 1 as the network-side medium. The ONTs 2, located on or
adjacent to respective customer premises 4, provide the two-way
communication interface between various communications devices with
the respective customer premises 4 and the network 1, via loop
plant facilities 3.
[0031] The network 1 includes a number of video servers that store
recorded video programs, and in several cases, record video
programming that is being sent to one or more of the customer
premises 4. If a program is not already recorded in the network and
is not being recorded for another service at the time of an
interruption, an interruption notice from the ONT 2 causes a
network video recorder (NVR) 8 or 9 to record a program being
viewed, from a point substantially corresponding to the point of
the interruption. Resumption of service then allows the network to
offer to resume the program for the viewer, from the point of
interruption, based on a transmission of the recorded program from
the appropriate server or NVR. Before discussing the monitoring,
messaging, recording and playback functions, it may be helpful to
begin with a discussion of the exemplary network and various
component elements thereof.
[0032] In the example of network 1, the first tier or layer of the
network is the multisubscriber local fiber optic "loop"
distribution facilities 3. The network 1 may utilize fiber rings
for the local loop plant, however, the example uses a passive
optical network (PON). The passive optical network 3 has a
tree-and-branch fiber topology and utilizes wavelength division
multiplexing (WDM) to carry optical signals to/from a number of
customer premises 4 over one or more fibers to/from each premises
4.
[0033] The next level in the network hierarchy is the area-wide
fiber optic ring 5, which interconnects a number of local loop
facilities 3 in a given area. In the example, the rings 5 utilize
Gigabit Ethernet, over SONET, on two-way (redundant) optical fiber
rings. Alternatively, this layer may use two-way communications
over fiber trunks 6, without the ring topology. In the example, the
dual super trunks 6 are implemented utilizing previously unused
('dark') fiber plant. The area ring 5 or other fiber link 6
provides communications to and from the next higher layer of the
network 1. In a typical carrier network, the top layer of the
network hierarchy is a backbone ring 7. In the example, the
backbone ring 7 is a dual fiber two-way ring carrying SONET OC
192.
[0034] The present discussion focuses on distribution and recording
of video communications. Hence, the network 1 and several elements
of the network are identified using video network terminology, such
as video serving offices (VSO) 11, video hub offices (VHOs) 23 and
super headends (SHEs) 31. It should be noted, however, that such
terms are descriptive of the video functions of most interest to
the examples discussed here, and that appropriate network
components will often have additional functions and may be
described using different terms when focusing on other services
offered through the same or similar network nodes.
[0035] The first layer 3 provides local communications, sometimes
referred to as local loop transport, between the video serving
offices (VSO) 11 and multiple customer premises 4. Optical network
terminals (ONTs) 2 are the edge devices at the customer premises 4.
In the examples, the ONTs 2 are soft in that they incorporate
programmable communications control involved in implementation and
delivery of network services, although other optical interface
equipment may be used. Typically, in the illustrated network 1, an
ONT 2 will provide a standard telephone line interface for voice
telephone services as well as one or more interfaces for digital
broadband services on the same or preferably separate in-house
wiring.
[0036] The digital broadband services may include a data
communication services, e.g. for Internet access. For purposes of
the discussion of the video recording service, the ONT also
supports one or more digital video services. As discussed more
below, the example provides both digital broadcast video services
and narrowcast video service.
[0037] In the example of network 1, the local distribution network
3 utilizes a wavelength division multiplexing implementation of a
passive optical network (PON), whereas the higher levels 5 and 7
utilize redundant SONET ring architectures. Hence, at the VSO 11,
an optical line terminal (OLT) 12 provides connectivity between the
first layer serving as the distribution network 3 and the next
higher network layer, ring 5. The OLT supports two-way digital
optical communication for narrowcast video services. The OLT 12 is
a passive device that provides optical coupling to the fiber(s) to
the customer premises. The OLT functions as a digital cross-connect
in the optical domain, e.g. to provide SONET interconnections
between the higher level portion of the network and the fiber links
to the customer premises. It may also provide some protocol
conversions, if necessary. The OLT also provides connectivity for
voice telephone service, e.g. offered through a telephone switch 13
connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
[0038] Two-way data communications, two-way signaling related to
video communications and to narrowcast video communications going
between the OLT 12 and the higher layers of the network 1 are
combined with other communications to/from the premises, e.g. for
telephone and/or Internet access services. In the example, the
network utilizes wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to
transport video and other communications on multiple wavelengths on
the fiber distribution network 3. Hence, in the example, a WDM
coupler 14 multiplexes downstream communications through the OLT 12
on a wavelength assigned to those services together with one or
more wavelengths of light for other services and transmits those
wavelengths together over the fiber distribution network 3. In the
upstream direction, the WDM coupler 14 splits the various
wavelengths as necessary, for the different services. The upstream
wavelength carrying communications related to voice, data and video
service signaling, for example, goes to the OLT 12.
[0039] The light wavelengths in the fiber distribution network 3
provide sufficient transport capacity to provide digital services
to a number of customer premises 4. An optical splitter hub 20
supplies downstream light carrying communications signals to
several customer premises and combines upstream transmissions from
the customer premises for optical transport to the OLT 12.
[0040] In an example of the PON type local distribution network 3,
all upstream traffic (e.g. voice, data, signaling and/or user
video) might utilize 210 nm wavelength light as the carrier, at 155
to 622 Mbps. The WDM coupler 14 routes this wavelength from the
fiber loop plant 3 to the OLT 12. Downstream voice, data, signaling
and narrowcast video, at a combined 622 Mbps, might utilize 1490 nm
wavelength light as the carrier. The OLT 12 supplies this second
wavelength to the WDM coupler 14 for transmission to one or more
customer premises 4.
[0041] Broadcast video might utilize 1550 nm wavelength light as
the carrier through the local loop plant facilities 3. As noted,
the next higher level ring 5 is a SONET ring. Hence, the VSO 11
also includes an add-drop multiplexer (ADM) 21 to provide two way
communications to/from the ring and from/to a number of OLTs 12
within the particular VSO 11. In the downstream direction, the ADM
outputs the broadcast video signals on 1550 nm wavelength light,
and the WDM coupler 14 combines that light with the 1490 nm
wavelength light carrying the downstream voice, data and narrowcast
video communications for transmission through the fiber loop plant
3 to customer premises 4. In the upstream direction, the ADM 21
adds data and video signaling communications from various customer
premises 4 for transport around the ring 5.
[0042] The ring 5 provides video distribution from a VHO 23 to a
number of VSOs 11, both for broadcast services and for narrowcast
services. The ring 5 also provides two-way data transport, for
signaling communications related to the various video services and
for data communication services. Alternatively, one or more of the
VSOs 11 may communicate with the VHO 23 via dual super trunk fibers
6.
[0043] In the illustrated example, the ONT 2 includes a line card
that provides a standard telephone line interface over twisted wire
pair to one or more analog telephones or the like 15, for service
sometimes referred to as plain old telephone service (POTS).
Another interface card typically provides a local data connection,
such as an Ethernet link to personal computers or other data
devices 17. Another card provides a separate video link to one or
more video decoders referred to as "set-top boxes" 18 connected to
television sets 19. Alternatively, the television(s) 19 in a
customer premises 4 could use the same digital link as the data
devices 17. The TV 19 may be compatible with a digital video
protocol on the data link, but typically the subscriber uses the
set-top box (STB) decoder 18 to convert the digital video to a
signal compatible with the particular type of TV set 19.
[0044] The ONT 2 also includes an optical/electrical (O/E)
interface to the fiber optic local loop plant 3. An intelligent
processing and routing element, between the customer premises media
interface(s) and the optical/electrical interface, essentially
controls the ONT 2 at the edge of the carrier's network. This
functionality essentially provides logical interfaces as well as
any necessary two-way protocol conversions between the in-house
communication protocols on the wiring or other media in the
customer premises and the optical packet transport on the PON type
loop plant 3. The logical interfaces provided by the ONT 2 support
the appropriate service logic, for the services and service
features offered through the network 1. For voice telephone
service, for example, the ONT may convert between analog and
digital formats, implement any desired voice coding and decoding
scheme, packetize and depacketize the encoded voice information,
and perform any address processing if necessary. The structure and
functionality of examples of the ONT 2 are discussed in more
detailed below, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0045] A power supply unit 16 provides power to the ONT 2.
Normally, power is supplied from the regular commercial AC power
grid at the customer premises 4. Power supply unit 16, however,
also has battery backup for use during outages.
[0046] Although only one example is shown for convenience, a number
of the ONT type edge devices 2 communicate via the first level
optical fiber PON 3 to a Video Serving Office (VSO) 11. Each VSO 11
may serve one or more fiber distribution facilities 3, so as to
provide communications to and from numerous customer premises 4,
although the simple example shows only one fiber distribution tree
3 to one of the VSOs 11.
[0047] In the illustrated architecture, the Video Serving Office
(VSO) 11 functions as a first level intelligent router or switch.
In the network 1, the VSOs 11 are relatively high-capacity devices
providing packet-based routing and switching to implement desired
video, voice and data services. For video, each VSO 11 combines
video broadcast and narrowcast feeds together with voice and data.
A VSO 11 may implement some service logic based on its own internal
provisioning, and/or for other services or features the VSO 11 may
perform service control in response to instructions from a higher
level controller.
[0048] Several video serving offices (VSDs) 11 in an area in turn
communicate via the next higher level ring 5 or via video super
trunks 6, with a video hub office (VHO) 23. Like a VSO 11, the VHO
23 is a relatively high-capacity router and service switch, which
provides packet-based routing and switching to implement desired
video, voice and data services. In addition to the appropriate
interface and router hardware (not separately shown), the VHO 23
includes a central processing unit (CPU) 24 programmed to control
VHO operations and to implement service control logic, e.g. related
to conditional access (CA) functions and the service interruption
responsive program recording/playback. The logic for VHO handling
of most of the services may reside in the VHO 23 as stored
programming for the CPU 24, or for some services, the VHO 23 may
perform control in response to instructions from a higher level
controller (not shown).
[0049] Several VHOs 23 communicate with each other and with video
super headends (SHEs) 31 via the third level optical fiber ring 7.
Each of the VHOs 23 will typically communicate through two or more
of the intermediate level rings 5 or fiber super trunks 6 with
video serving offices 11, and thus to equipment at a large number
of customer locations 4 within the overall service area. Of course,
the geographic area encompassed by the network 1 may include any
desired physical area serviced by the particular carrier, depending
on its business structure and the like.
[0050] Legacy switches, such as the telephone office switch 13, may
connect into a VHO 23, but typically connect to a VSO 11, as
discussed above. The switch/router hardware within the VHO 23 is
designed for a higher traffic capacity, to support the
communications around the backbone ring 7.
[0051] Each SHE 31 also functions as an intelligent router or
packet switch. The SHE 31, however interfaces only to the backbone
SONET ring 7. In addition to the appropriate interface and router
hardware (not separately shown), the SHE 31 includes a CPU 32
programmed to control SHE operations and to implement service
control logic, e.g. related to conditional access (CA) functions
and possibly to service interruption responsive program
recording/playback. The logic for SHE handling of most of the
services may reside in the SHE 31 as stored programming for the CPU
32, although it would be possible to set-up the SHE 31 to perform
control in response to instructions from a separate controller.
[0052] A Super Headend (SHE) 31 acquires content to form a national
channel lineup for broadcast video service. For example, the SHE 31
may acquire/obtain content such as national programs (e.g. ESPN,
Lifetime, MTV, Weather channel) and acquire/obtain material for
national advertisement insertion. In the example, the SHEs 31
acquire content via satellite feeds 41, although other sources of
video feeds may be used. Another function of the SHE is to
consolidate/groom such content into the national channel lineup and
distribute that content to the VHOs 23 via the backbone ring 7. The
SHE also provides a conditional access system (CAS), for which it
maintains a master customer database and by which it creates and
distributes encryption keys.
[0053] The VHOs 23 also acquire content from local sources
represented by the off-the-air antennae 43, and consolidate/groom
that content to form a local channel lineup. The local feed
includes over-the-air digital programming. Any analog over-the-air
programs can be converted to digital data at the VHO. Where the
carrier can contract appropriately with local broadcast providers,
the local feeds may utilize direct digital inputs for some or all
of the local broadcast content. Examples of the content obtained at
the VHO level include local broadcast channels (both independents
and network affiliates e.g. of ABC, NBC, CBS, etc) and public,
education and government (PEG) programming. The VHO 23 also may
receive materials and perform local advertisement insertion in
video streams received over the backbone network 7. The VHO may
develop and distribute an Interactive Program Guide (IPG) and/or
Emergency Alert System information.
[0054] The VHO 23 also receives the national lineup from the SHE
31, and the VHO consolidates/grooms local and national content into
a broadcast video feed. Hence, the SHE 31 broadcasts the national
channel lineup around the backbone ring to all of the VHOs 23; and
the VHOs 23 add the local lineup, e.g. off-the-air programming from
antennae 43. The network 1 may provide video services from the VHOs
23 to the customer premises 4 on an interactive basis, with the
program switching done at the VHO or VSO level and transport
provided via dedicated virtual channels to the set-top boxes 18 in
the customer premises 4. In the exemplary network 1, however, the
national channel lineup with the added local content lineup is
broadcast through the VSOs 11 and the local distribution plant 3 to
the customer premises 4. Specifically, in the VSO 11, the ADM 21
supplies broadcast video content received via the ring 5 to one
input of the WDM coupler 14. The ADM 21 also provides a two-way
communication link between the ring 5 and the OLT 12, both for data
communications and for narrowcast video communications. The OLT 12
also is the point of interconnection for voice traffic, e.g. for
connection to/from a telephone office switch. In the downstream
direction, the OLT 12 combines voice traffic with the data and
narrowcast video traffic, for transport on one of the wavelengths
used in the local fiber distribution plant 3. In the upstream
direction, the OLT 12 segregates such traffic and supplies the
communications regarding data and narrowcast video services to the
ADM, whereas voice communications go to the telephone switch
13.
[0055] The VHO may also offer connectivity for video storage and
related narrowcast video services. Hence, in the example, each VHO
has or connects to a video server 34. A typical service provided by
such a server would be video on demand (VOD), which utilizes
narrowcast video connectivity from the VHO to STB 18 in the
customer premises 4 to transmit requested video content for
presentation to the viewer via TV 19.
[0056] The VHO also implements a Conditional Access System (CAS)
and distributes authorization and encryption to set-top boxes 18.
Conditional access (CA) is a function that allows content providers
to prevent theft of service and to restrict certain programming
products to certain viewers. The CASs at the SHE 31 and at the VHO
23 implement conditional access by encrypting the content
provider's programs. Consequently, the programs must be decrypted
at the receiving end before they can be decoded for viewing. CA
allows for restricting access to bundles of channels as well as by
service, such as: pay-per-view (PPV), video-on-demand (VOD), games
and premium channels.
[0057] The set-top box 18 is responsible for descrambling the CA
encryption and decoding the MPEG-2 data for viewing. Periodically
(e.g. monthly), the set-top box 18 receives an entitlement
management message (EMM) from the CAS in the SHE 3, which allows
the set-top box 18 to access services. The EMM may be uniquely
addressed to the particular set-top box 18, or the EMM may be
distributed to set-top boxes 18 in a particular geographic region
or service area. The EMM contains the encrypted service key.
Typically, this key is changed as required to discourage hackers.
As the user selects different programs to view, the set-top box 18
communicates with the CAS functionality implemented in the serving
VHO 23 to obtain an entitlement control message (ECM), which
represents specific permission to view a particular selected
program. The VHO 23 sends the ECM once every few seconds, to keep
permission current.
[0058] Of note for purposes of this discussion, the conditional
access communications inform the VHO 23 in substantially real-time
as to the broadcast program a user may be viewing, on each active
set-top box 18. The CPU 24 in the VHO 23 knows which set-top boxes
are active at each premises. Since the servers 34 reside in or are
coupled to the VHOs 23, in the example, the VHO 23 serving a
particular premises 4 is also aware of any viewer's narrowcast
programming choices, e.g. for a video on demand service from server
34.
[0059] When one premises 4 is out of service, typically, a number
of premises 4 in a geographic region or territory are also
suffering an interruption. The network elements, such as the SHEs
31, VHOs 23 and VSOs 11 will have back-up power supplies and will
typically not suffer from the same interruptions as the customer
equipment within the premises 4. The ONT 2 normally draws power
from the customer premises, but the supply 16 for the ONT also has
a battery back-up. For example, a power outage at premises 4 will
interrupt the user's ability to view programming through the
set-top box 18 and the television 19, but it will not immediately
impact communications from the ONT 2 through the network 1, and
generally will not effect the other network elements, particularly
those at the higher levels, such as the VHOs 23 and the SHEs
31.
[0060] The network 1 offers both broadcast video services and
narrowcast video services. Servers for narrowcast services, such as
video on demand, may reside at any convenient point(s) in the
network. In the example, the video servers 34 reside at one or more
of the VHOs 23. These servers may provide a replay following a
service interruption, as discussed in more detail later. The
interruption responsive replay service also may utilize one or more
network recorders (NVRs), which record broadcast programming.
Depending on the implementation of the network 1, the network video
recorders could be provided at the VSOs 11, at one or more of the
VHOs 23 or at one or more of the SHEs 31.
[0061] Network video recorders 9, implemented at or coupled to an
SHE 31, would allow storage of at least programming included in the
national channel lineup developed at the SHE 31. To capture local
programming at an NVR 9, an appropriate VHO 23 would route the
programming around the ring 7 to the SHE 31 and the NVR 9.
[0062] Location of the NVR 8 for the interruption/recovery service
at or in association with the VHO 23 facilitates capture of
broadcast programs from the local channel lineup. However, the NVR
8 can also record programs from the national channel lineup, as
received through the ring 7 and the VHO 23.
[0063] The NVR is essentially a server with associated digital
storage sufficient for the intended recording/playback services
that the NVR will support. Consider the NVR 8 as an example.
[0064] In the illustrated example, the server 35 is intended to
represent a general class of data processing device commonly used
to run "server" programming. Such devices typically utilize general
purpose computer hardware to perform respective server processing
functions and to perform the attendant communications via the
network 1. Each such server, for example includes a data
communication interface for packet data communication. The server
35 also includes a central processing unit (CPU), in the form of
one or more processors, for executing program instructions. The
server platform also includes program storage and data storage for
various data files to be processed and/or communicated by the
server. For the NVR application, the server 35 includes or connects
to one or more appropriate drives for providing the data recorder
(record and playback) functionality shown at 37.
[0065] The hardware elements, operating systems and programming
languages of such servers are conventional in nature, and it is
presumed that those skilled in the art are adequately familiar
therewith. The server 9 typically is implemented in a similar
fashion, and the video servers 34 may utilize similar hardware
although scaled for handling of different amounts of program
storage and programmed to implement somewhat different service
functions.
[0066] The network could offer a VOD-like service for broadcast
programs. For such a service, one or more of the servers/recorders
(e.g. 8, 9 or 34) would record all broadcast services, both
national and local. The service would allow users to request replay
of broadcast programs from a few days or a week earlier,
essentially on demand. The network 1 would transport requested
video to the user's set-top box 18 as a narrowcast video
communication. As discussed more, later, interruption-responsive
replay of a recorded program would require a notation of the time,
program and customer ID at the time of interruption, to offer a
replay from that point when service resumes. If not all programs
are recorded, as in the example, the system would record programs
being viewed from the time of the interruption. Of course, the NVRs
could be used for other services, e.g. to provide a network based
recording service similar to that provided in the home by TiVo or
the like.
[0067] As noted above, the ONT 2 monitors one or more conditions
relating to operations/communications at the customer premises 4,
for detection of an event or condition indicating an interruption
in video service to one or more of the set-top boxes 18 at the
respective location. Upon detecting a service interruption, e.g. in
response to a power outage at premises 4, the ONT 2 signals the VHO
23 providing service to that location. The notice message allows
the VHO 23 and server equipment, such as a server 34 or an NVR 8 or
9, to provide a replay from the point of interruption when service
resumes. When the interruption report reaches the VHO, if the
viewer has been viewing a program from a recording in the server,
e.g. as video on demand, the VHO simply informs the appropriate
server 34. In response, the server 34 stops sending video for the
effected premises 4 and notes the point of interruption with
respect to the video program for use as a new starting point upon
resumption of service. If the viewer was watching a broadcast
program, however, the VHO 23 notifies the NVR 8 or 9. If the
program is not already being recorded, the NVR begins recording the
program in response to the notice.
[0068] In view of the role of the ONT 2 in this service for replay
from point of interruption, it may be helpful to consider the
structure and operation of exemplary ONTs in somewhat more detail.
A number of embodiments of the ONT 2 may be used in the network 1.
Although referred to here as an optical network terminal (ONT), the
interfacing and monitoring/notice functions may be implemented in
similar devices sometimes referred to as intelligent Network
Interface Devices (NIDs) or Soft Network Interface Devices (SNIDs).
To appreciate the advantages thereof it may be helpful at this
point to consider first a functional example and a specific example
of an ONT.
[0069] FIG. 2 is a simplified functional diagram illustrating the
major logical components of a soft network interface device or
"soft NID," which may serve as the ONT 2. FIG. 3, in turn, shows an
example of how such a logical architecture might be implemented in
hardware. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
implementations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are examples only, and that
other ONT implementations may be used, e.g. in different networks
and/or to implement the power monitoring and notice transmissions
for video recording/replay control in a somewhat different
fashion.
[0070] The exemplary ONT 2 of FIG. 2 provides a communications
interface across a line of demarcation (vertical dot-dash line)
between at least one customer premises medium 51 and a public
digital broadband communication network (e.g. network 1 shown in
FIG. 1). The ONT 2 includes a broadband network-side interface 141.
This network-side interface 141 is in communications connection
with a broadband medium at an edge of the public digital broadband
communication network 1. The media may be any appropriate form of
subscriber communications link of the broadband communication
network, such as broadband wireless, coaxial cable (of a hybrid
fiber-coax network), broadband digital subscriber line, etc.
Preferably, the subscriber communications link of the network
comprises one or more optical fibers 143 of a fiber to the home or
building type network 1 such as PON type loop plant 3.
[0071] The broadband network-side interface 141 provides two-way
conversions between signals transported on the medium 143 of the
broadband communication network 1 and signals in an internal
protocol. For an optical network application, for example, the
network-side interface 141 includes an optical transceiver 145 for
connection to the fiber type medium 143 so as to send and receive
optical signals in the appropriate network protocol formats via the
link 143. The network-side interface 141 also includes an
electrical transceiver 147 for electrical communication of signals
within the ONT 2. The components of the network-side interface 141
provide the two-way conversions between the network signal
protocols and those used within the ONT 2.
[0072] The ONT 2 also includes a customer-side interface 149 for
communications connection to the customer premises medium 51. The
customer-side interface 149 provides two-way conversions between
signals transported on the customer premises medium 51 and signals
in the internal protocol. There may be only one medium in the
customer premises, for example, for broadband data communications
or for telephone communications or a combination thereof. In many
premises, the medium 51 will comprise two or more media, for
example, different media for telephone services, for video services
and possibly for other services, such as data (e.g. Internet
access). Hence, the exemplary interface 149 shown in FIG. 2
includes interface electronics 151 for telephone-type communication
over a telephone medium and interface electronics 153 for digital
video communication. The interface 149 may include other interface
electronics 155, for communications of other types of signals over
the same or separate media.
[0073] Each of the interfaces electronics 151, 153, 155 connects to
an appropriate medium within the premises and communicates signals
to and from compatible customer premises equipment on that medium,
in the appropriate signal formats, e.g. as analog telephone
signals, as local area network data signals, as video signals, and
the like. The customer-side interface 149 also includes an
electrical transceiver 157 for electrical communication of signals
within the ONT 2. The components of the customer-side interface 141
provide the two-way conversions between the signal protocols used
on the customer media 51 and those used within the ONT 2.
[0074] The ONT 2 further comprises an internal link 159 between the
broadband network-side interface 141 and the customer-side
interface 149. The link 159 carries the signals in the internal
protocol, between the interfaces 141, 149.
[0075] The ONT 2 may be implemented as a "soft" interface device
that is programmable, in that it is possible to install certain
programming, control data or other information to modify or adapt
the communications functionality of the ONT 2 to the needs or
desires of one or more interested parties. To implement this soft
functionality, the ONT 2 includes a programmable data processing
system 161. The system 161 communicates with the interfaces 141,
149, as shown by the dashed two-way arrows in the drawing, for
controlling at least some communications operations through the
interfaces. These communications between the interfaces 141, 149
and the data processing system 161 may use any appropriate internal
link. For example, embodiments discussed in detail later use a bus
structure between the interfaces, and the data processing system(s)
connect to and communicate via the same bus structure.
[0076] The ONT 2 is programmable, and the intent of the examples is
to allow the user and parties on the network (typically a carrier)
to program different aspects of the ONT functionality. Hence, the
communications between the network-side interface 141 and the data
processing unit 161 will include some downloads of network service
provisioning data (as shown by the arrow) coming in from the
network link 143. In a similar manner, the communications between
the customer-side interface 149 and the data processing unit 161
will include some user programming information (as shown by the
arrow) coming in from one of the customer premises media 51.
[0077] Typically, a data processing system 161 will include at
least one central processing unit (CPU) 163 and at least one memory
165. U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,276, which is incorporated herein by
reference, discloses examples of soft network interfaces devices
that may serve as the ONT. As discussed in greater detail in that
patent, the data processing system 161 may be implemented as a
single unified system or as two systems in separate customer and
network-side modules. An example using a unified system is
discussed later (FIG. 3). In either case, the programming for the
CPU 163 provided by the memory 165 implements a control logic 167.
The control logic 167 of the ONT 2 may include some unified logic
bridging the demarcation line, but a substantial part of the logic
may be considered as divided into two separate pieces, as shown.
One part 169 of the logic relates to user programmable
applications, and the other part 171 relates to services and/or
service features offered by the carrier that provides the
communications services via the public digital broadband
communication network.
[0078] The data processing system 161 is capable of receiving
network service provisioning data, from the public digital
broadband communication network via the broadband network-side
interface 141 and the link 143. The service provisioning data,
here, may be any appropriate form of executable code, service
defining/controlling data or other information relating to the
ONT's control of the communication services that the ONT and the
network provide to the particular customer premises. The received
provisioning data defines the states and control functions in the
service provisioning logic 171 and is stored in the memory 165 in
association with the programming for logic 171. As programmed, this
logic 171 in the data processing system 161 controls one or more
operations of the ONT 2 as it relates to one or more services that
the customer premises obtains from the public digital broadband
communication network.
[0079] For the video recovery service, the network side programming
causes the ONT 2 to monitor one or more conditions, e.g. power,
impacting video service in the premises 4. Responsive to changes in
state of the monitored condition, the programming also causes the
data processing unit 161 of the ONT 2 to send notice messages.
Provisioning data received from the network side sets up the
functions with regard to the video recovery service, e.g. to enable
the data processing unit 161 to address the notice messages to the
appropriate VHO 23 (or other network element).
[0080] In the exemplary ONT, the data processing system 161 also is
capable of receiving user programming, from the customer premises,
via the customer-side interface. This capability at least allows
the customer or other user at the premises to input some optional
parameters, such as a primary interexchange carrier (PIC) code for
a preferred long distance carrier, speed dial lists, internet
service provider (ISP) identifiers, and the like. The user
programming logic includes one or more application programs, and
some embodiments allow the user to input new or upgraded
application logic to modify or supplement the logic 169. The
executable code and/or data received as the user programming
defines the states and control functions for the user programmable
applications logic 169. Received inputs from the user are stored in
the memory 165 in association with or as part of the programming
for logic 169. As programmed, this applications logic 169 in the
data processing system 161 controls at least one operation of the
ONT 2 in accord with the received user programming.
[0081] FIG. 3 shows the elements of an exemplary embodiment of a
soft network interface device type implementation of an ONT
2.sub.1, in block diagram form. This particular implementation is
one intended to support a combination of different telephone, video
and data services available via the network 1. As discussed more
below, the example is one appropriate for a residence or small/home
business customer, although those skilled in the art will recognize
how to scale the concept to service larger volume customers.
[0082] The exemplary ONT 2.sub.1 at each customer premises 4
terminates the customer premises wiring and provides the interface
to the first level fiber 3. Each ONT 2.sub.1 includes one or more
interface cards, supporting two-way communication connections to
the media 51 utilized in the particular home or business
premises.
[0083] In a multi-service embodiment such as that of FIG. 3, the
ONT 2.sub.1 provides a standard telephone line interface for voice
telephone services as well as one or more interfaces for data and
video services on the same or preferably separate in-house wiring.
Hence, the illustrated ONT 21 includes a telephone line card 53
that provides a standard telephone line interface over twisted wire
pair 55, to one or more telephones 15 as shown in the earlier
drawing. The ONT 2.sub.1 also includes a data interface card, which
in the example is an Ethernet line card 57, for providing two-way
Ethernet local area network (LAN) type communications, e.g. over
CAT-S cable 59 (shown as multiple twisted pairs) although data
communications could use wireless network technologies. The ONT
2.sub.1, may include other types of line cards, and in this
example, the ONT includes a line card 61 for providing video
services over an in-home coaxial cable 63. The customer may have
any number of different types and combinations of wired or wireless
telephone and broadband communications media within the customer
premises, and the customer would select the appropriate set of line
cards to interface to those media 51 for the desired service
applications.
[0084] The ONT 2.sub.1, also includes an optical/electrical (O/E)
interface 65 to the first level fiber 3. The interface 65 conforms
to the physical layer protocols required by the neighborhood
optical fiber 3. For example, this interface 65 would include
another WDM coupler and optical/electrical conversion elements for
sending and receiving digital information via the wavelengths used
in the PON type loop plant 3. An internal bus network 67
interconnects the customer premises-side interface cards 53, 57 and
61 and the O/E interface 65, and the bus 67 connects all of those
interfaces to elements of an internal data processing system 69. On
the internal side, the O/E interface 65 conforms to the electrical
signaling protocols utilized on the bus network 67 and by the other
elements of the ONT 2.sub.1.
[0085] The network 1 provides fast packet transport for all
communications through the network, for example, including the
voice telephone service and all broadband services, including video
distribution services. Related packet processing functions may be
performed in the O/E interface 65 or in the line cards.
[0086] As noted, the illustrated ONT 2.sub.1, includes a telephone
line card 53 that provides a standard telephone line interface over
twisted wire pair 55, to one or more telephones as shown in the
earlier drawing. The line card may provide ISDN type digital
service. The media for the telephones could utilize wireless links,
power lines, or other in-home media. However, for many customers,
the line card 53 provides analog-type plain old telephone service
over the twisted pair wiring 53 to existing standard telephone
equipment, as illustrated in the drawings.
[0087] For an analog type plain old telephone service (POTS), the
line card 53 provides two-way conversion between analog and digital
signals. The POTS line card 53 also provides normal telephone line
functions, such as battery feed, over-voltage protection, ringing,
signaling, coding, hybrid and testing (commonly collectively
identified as the `BORSCHT` functions, in the telephone
industry).
[0088] The hybrid functionality of the telephone line card 53
performs a two wire to four wire type conversion. The line card 53
sends and receives analog signals over a twisted wire pair 55, and
the telephone line card 53 sends and receives digital signals
through the bus 67 and the network rings. More specifically, in the
upstream direction, the telephone line card 53 receives analog
signals from the associated twisted wire pair 55. The line card 53
converts those signals into digital signals in a format compatible
with the bus network 67 and the fast packet communications utilized
by the network 1. The telephone line card 53 supplies the digitized
audio information signals through the bus 67 to the OLE interface
65, for upstream transmission through the fiber loop 3 to the VSO
11 serving the particular PON distribution plant 3. In the
downstream direction, the OLE interface 65 supplies voice telephone
information received from the fiber loop 3 over the bus network 67
to the telephone line card 53. The line card 53 in turn converts
the downstream digitized information signals to analog form and
couples the resultant analog signals to the twisted wire pair for
two-wire transport to the customer premise equipment.
[0089] An ISDN implementation of the line card 53 would perform
functions similar to those described above for the analog version
of the telephone line card 53, except that the signals provided on
the relevant customer wiring 55 would conform to ISDN standards. In
the example, the telephone line card 53 provided a single telephone
interface to one customer premises line 55. This may be typical for
residential installations. However, high-end residential users and
businesses will require increasing numbers of telephone lines. It
is envisaged that different versions of a telephone line card 53
may support 1, 2, 14, 12, 24 or 32 customer premises telephone
lines in either POTS analog form or digital ISDN form. For
commercial applications requiring still more lines, the ONT
2.sub.1, would include multiple telephone line cards 53 to provide
an aggregate telephone line capacity to meet the needs of the
particular business customer.
[0090] In the example, a second interface card provides a local
data connection. The subscriber may choose any conveniently
available data interface, such as Home Phoneline Networking
Association (HomePNA), IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN, or other home
networking protocols and media. In the illustrated embodiment, the
data interface is an Ethernet line card 57 for data communication,
e.g. over CAT-5 wiring 59. For a typical residential application,
the Ethernet card 57 would provide 10baseT data communication
within the customer premises. However, other users, particularly
business users, may opt for 100baseT or even gigabit Ethernet type
local area network operations. The line card 57, the bus 67 and the
OLE interface 65 essentially provide two-way interworking between
the data protocols on the customer premises wiring 59 and the
neighborhood fiber loop 3. To the in-home network, the ONT 2,
appears as another device on the LAN, albeit providing access to
the broader area services available via the network 1.
[0091] As noted above, the ONT 2.sub.1, includes one or more line
cards 61, to support video communications within the premises 4 and
provide interfacing thereof to the network 1 via local fiber plant
3. In the illustrated implementation of the ONT, broadband line
cards for data and/or video are selectable at the option of the
owner of the particular customer premises. Examples include XI0,
which is a communications protocol for remote control of electrical
devices and communications over standard household AC power-line
wiring, and IEEE 294, which is a serial interface for short-range,
low-data-rate, infrared communications between entertainment and
computer devices. In the example shown, the ONT 2.sub.1, includes a
video line card 61 for digital video communications with the set
top boxes 18 over coaxial wiring 63.
[0092] The ONT 2.sub.1, is an intelligent processing and routing
device, essentially implementing logical functions as discussed
above relative to FIG. 2. To implement the control logic for these
functions, the ONT 2.sub.1 includes a data processing system 69
coupled to the bus 67. The exemplary data processing system 69
comprises elements of a general purpose computer programmed to
control the interfaces and communications over the bus 67.
[0093] In the example, the data processing system 69 contains a
central processing unit (CPU) 71 and memories 73 connected to the
bus 67. The CPU 71 may contain a single microprocessor, or may
contain a plurality of microprocessors for configuring the data
processing system 69 as a multi-processor system. The memories 73
serve as the main memory and program storage for the CPU 71. The
memories 73 typically include dynamic random access memory (DRAM),
a read only memory (ROM) and high-speed cache memory. The memories
73 may include other types of devices, such as an electrically
erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory and
the like. Optionally, the data processing system may include a hard
disk drive 75 or other mass storage device, such as a CD or DVD
drive, a floppy disk drive, tape drive, etc.
[0094] In operation, the main memories 73 and/or the hard disk 75
store at least portions of instructions and data for execution by
the CPU 71 as well as associated working data. The instructions and
data include various address tables and other routing data needed
to interwork the in-home communications to the transport protocols
utilized in the network 1 as well as some service provisioning
data. As noted in the discussion of FIG. 2, the programming also
includes a program to implement the recovery service related
functions, including the monitoring, interruption detection and
notice transmissions. The stored information may also include
instructions and data relating to applications and services
controlled by the user. Overall, the executable program code and
associated control data implement the logic 167, 169 and 171,
discussed above relative to FIG. 2.
[0095] The data processing system 69 is programmable in response to
digital communications received via the fiber loop plant 3, for
example from a database or from a terminal such as a maintenance
operations console (MOC). Typically, one (or more) of these carrier
systems downloads service provisioning data to the ONT 2.sub.1, and
possibly some application programming, to enable the ONT to provide
specific network services and related features, which the customer
purchases from the carrier. Such data also may be downloaded from
other carriers or service providers, such as a long distance
carrier or an ISP. The data processing system 69 also is
programmable in response to communications received via the
customer premises media 51 and the bus 67, for example from a
telephone 15 and/or a computer 17 in the customer premises 4 (see
FIG. 1). Initial and/or diagnostic programming may be performed via
a local port or removable storage media drive (not shown), such as
a drive for a floppy disk, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)
drive, or an integrated circuit non-volatile memory adapter (i.e.
PC-MCIA adapter).
[0096] As noted, the ONT 2.sub.1 essentially is the edge of the
carrier's network 1. The device connects to the network 1 via the
PON type fiber loop plant 3 and provides the interfaces to the
media 51 within the customer premises. Some functions of the ONT
2.sub.1 are programmable by the carrier, typically via data
communications carried through the network and some of the service
control logic of that gateway function is responsive to
instructions from other nodes of the network 1. Also, some
functions of the ONT 2.sub.1 are programmable by the user. Hence,
the line of demarcation between the network 1 and customer premises
may be viewed as bisecting the ONT 2.sub.1. Logically, the ONT
2.sub.1 may be thought of as partially a customer's device, that is
to say as customer premises equipment (CPE), and partially a
network device. Stated another way, the customer-side interfaces
53, 57 and 63 and a portion of the logic implemented by the data
processing unit 69 are part of the customer premises equipment.
However, the 0/E interface 65 and a portion of the logic
implemented by the data processing unit 69 are part of the loop
plant 3 on the carrier's network 1.
[0097] An alternative hardware implementation of the ONT might use
separate network side and CPE side hardware, including separate
processing unit hardware. Additional examples of such devices may
be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,276.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 1, the ONT 2 draws power from the supply 16
in the customer premises. Under normal operation, the supply 16
utilizes AC power from the public power grid. However, to insure
that network communications may continue in the event of a power
outage, particularly for telephone services, the supply also
incorporates a battery back-up and a control for switching over to
the battery backup in the event of an AC power outage. A variety of
different power supplies providing battery back-up are known in the
telecom industry.
[0099] The data processing unit 69 (FIG. 3) within the ONT 2.sub.1
can detect the switchover of power supply 16 to the back-up
battery. For the interruption responsive replay services, the ONT
2.sub.i could monitor other conditions to detect an interruption in
the video service. The example, however, utilizes the detection of
switchover to the battery backup power supply as an indication of
interruption of power within the premises 4. The set-top boxes 18
within the premises normally draw AC power from the public power
grid the same as does the supply 16. Hence, interruption of AC
power to or within the premises interrupts video services provided
through the set-top boxes 18; and the switchover to battery backup
informs the ONT 2.sub.1 of that interruption.
[0100] Upon detection of the power outage, the data processing unit
69 causes the ONT 2.sub.1 to send an upstream signaling message, as
packet data message addressed to an appropriate network node. In
the example, the message is addressed to the VHO 23 serving the
particular customer premises 4, but it could be addressed to
another VHO or to one of the SHEs 31 or to specific server
equipment. The message essentially provides a notice of the
interruption detected at the customer premises.
[0101] The interruption notice message includes an identifier. The
identifier will at least identify the customer premises, for
example, by identifying the particular ONT 2.sub.1 The
identification data in the notice message could also (or
alternatively) identify each set-top box 18 that was active just
before the interruption.
[0102] In the example, the interruption notice message includes a
time stamp, signifying the time/point of interruption. Where the
network 1 is aware of the programming being viewed via each set-top
box 18 and associated television 19, the identification data
together with the time stamp may be sufficient for the video
recovery service. In some networks, however, it may be helpful for
the ONT 2.sub.1 to also include a program identifier in the notice
message, to facilitate start-up of the recording operations and/or
replay with respect to each active set-top box 18.
[0103] The interruption message goes to the network node that
controls the interruption-responsive replay service, e.g. the VHO
23 in our example. If the program was a video on demand (VOD)
program, the VHO 23 forwards the notice to the server 34 providing
the VOD program during the current session. Some network service
providers may offer a service in which one or more of the NVRs
record all broadcast programs, for time-shifted replay. In such a
situation, if the customer was viewing a broadcast program, the VHO
forwards the notice to the server of the appropriate NVR 8 or 9. In
either of these two cases, the ONT 2.sub.1 provides a follow-up
notice to the VHO upon resumption of service and the appropriate
server can provide the replay (of a VOD program or of a recorded
broadcast program) from the point of interruption, that is to say
from the time of the program corresponding to the time stamp in the
interruption notice message. A message may be provided to the
customer asking if they want to resume viewing the program. If the
customer opts to resume viewing, the set-top 18 sends an acceptance
message to the relevant server. In response, the server, VHO and
VSO therefore set-up a narrowcast video communication to the
set-top box 18, and the server sends the program to the set-top box
18 for decoding and presentation to the viewer via the TV 19.
[0104] Assume now for purposes of a more detailed discussion of a
service example, that the viewer was not engaged in a VOD session
at the time of interruption, and that the service provider is not
recording the entire program at the time of the interruption for
some other service. Hence, a video recovery-replay service will be
offered that entails beginning the recording of the program in
response to the detection of the service interruption. FIG. 4 is a
simplified diagram, useful in explaining the exchange of signals
and attendant processing steps in such an example of a recovery
service provided for recovery from interruption of viewing of a
broadcast video program, due to a power outage. Hence, in the
example, assume that the set-top box 18 is engaged in receiving and
decoding broadcast video signals from the VHO 23 (and other network
elements) and is conducting ongoing signaling with regard to those
communications (e.g. for CA purposes), as represented by the
two-way communications at step S1 in the drawing.
[0105] As noted above, the data processing unit 69 (FIG. 3) within
the ONT 2 monitors status of power supplied in the premises to the
video equipment including set-top box 18, as represented at S2. The
data processing unit 69 in the ONT 2 checks the status of the power
at step S3, and if power is supplied in the normal manner, the
processing within the ONT continues monitoring at S2. The
monitoring and analysis of power status continues in a loop until
the data processing unit 69 (FIG. 3) within the ONT 2 detects the
switchover of power supply 16 to the back-up battery as a service
interruption, at which point, the process flows from S3 to S4.
[0106] Detection of service interruption at S3 causes the ONT 2 to
send an upstream signaling data message through the network 1 to
the VHO 23, notifying the VHO of the interruption (step S4). The
CPU 24 controls operations of the VHO 23, including operations
responsive to such a interrupt message.
[0107] The ONT may monitor the program being viewed through each
active video device within the premises 4. In such an
implementation, the ONT would transmit a program identification for
the network video recorder upon detection of the interruption.
However, in the example, the network is aware of the program being
viewed, e.g. from conditional access (CA) signaling as the user
selects each program for viewing. Hence, the VHO 23 only needs to
know that there has been an interruption and the identification
associated with the customer (ONT ID, customer ID or set-top ID).
Based on the identification, the CPU 24 reviews appropriate
conditional access control information to determine the most recent
program being viewed by the customer through the set-top box 18 (or
by viewers through multiple set-top boxes at the particular
premises). For ease of further discussion, we will assume that one
set-top box viewing one program was affected by the interruption.
Based on the program identification, the VHO 23 routes the
identified program for the one set-top box 18 to the NVR 8 and
instructs the server 35 to initiate recording of the program to
storage implemented in the data recorder 37, as shown at step S5 in
FIG. 4.
[0108] The time stamp included in the notice message from the ONT 2
substantially corresponds to the time of interruption of power and
video service at the customer premises 4, although there may be
some time lag between actual interruption of viewing and detection
by the ONT 2. Communications through the network 1 to initiate
recording of the appropriate program in the NVR 8 also will take
some small amount of time. Hence, in the example, the recording at
the NVR 8 (step S6) will begin at the approximate point in the
program at which the viewer was viewing the program when he or she
lost video service, that is to say, allowing for some small time
delay and resulting discrepancy between the point of the program
last viewed before the interruption (branch N from S3) and the
point of the program initially recorded (start of S6). The CPU of
the server 35 may compare the time stamp to the current time or
program time and decline to initiate recording if the difference is
too large, e.g. if there seems to have been some undue delay in
processing between interruption detection and an attempt to start
recording the interrupted program.
[0109] Assume for discussion purposes, that the NVR 8 begins
recording the interrupted program in response to the notice
responsive instruction from the VHO 23, as shown at S6. The NVR 8
records the program until it reaches some limit set by the service
provider or at least until the user's set-top box 18 comes back on
line and notice thereof is sent to the NVR 8.
[0110] At the customer premises side, the ONT 2 continues to check
power status (S7), until it detects a return of regular AC power
(shift back from battery backup). In response to detection of
power, the ONT processing branches from step S7 to step S8, on the
assumption that video service has or can be resumed. At step S8,
the ONT 2 sends another notice message upstream through the network
2 to the VHO 23, notifying the VHO of the possible resumption of
service. This message includes the same identification data as the
earlier message, but this message specifies resumption of service.
In response, the CPU 24 of the VHO 23 checks to determine if the
set-top box (STB) 18 is back on-line, at S9. When the set-top box
S10 is back on-line, communications with the VHO 23 resume, for
example, in the form of CA-related signaling as shown at step S10.
In our example, the VHO detects resumption of communications by the
STB 18, processing flows from S9 to S11, at which point the CPU 24
in the VHO 23 notifies the server 35 in the NVR 8.
[0111] If the viewer comes back on line before the recording
reaches the set limit, the server 35 sends a data message (and
possibly an image or short video) through the network 1
specifically addressed to the reactivated set-top box 18, offering
to replay the program recorded from the point of interruption (step
S12). The set-top box 18 decodes the message from the server 35 and
presents it to the viewer via TV 19. This message informs the
viewer of the replay option and prompts the viewer to select
whether or not to resume viewing from the point of
interruption.
[0112] Typically, the viewer will operate the set-top box 18 or its
remote control to input a selection, in this case, indicating
acceptance of the replay offer. In response, the set-top box 18
sends an acceptance message through the network 1 to the server 35
(S13). If the message indicates that viewer chose to view the
program from the start of the recording (approximately
corresponding to the point of interruption), then the NVR 8, the
VHO 23 and VSO 11 set-up a narrowcast video communication to the
set-top box 18, and the server 35 sends the program from storage 27
to the set-top box 18 for decoding and presentation to the viewer
via the TV 19 (S14). This replay starts from the start of the
recording made at the NVR 8, that is to say from the point in the
program substantially corresponding to the point of interruption.
The NVR 8 will continue to record the ongoing program (S6) while it
is playing back the previously recorded portion of the program, so
that the user can view the program continuously from then on
without further interruption, until the end of the program.
[0113] For example, if the customer is having a party to watch the
Super Bowl, and the power goes out for 8-10 minutes, when the power
comes back on, the customer can resume viewing the Super Bowl from
the approximate point of interruption and continue viewing until
the Super Bowl and follow-up programming is over. In this way, the
network recording service provided by the ONT 2 and the NVR 8
provides a continuous time shift of 8-10 minutes to compensate for
or otherwise recover from the video service interruption due to
loss of power.
[0114] The process flow for implementing recovery services with
replay from about the point of interruption may vary from the
representative flow shown in FIG. 4. Those skilled in the art will
understand that the processing starting at S11 could be responsive
to just one of the messages, e.g. without the need for both a power
resumption message and detection of a CA signaling message. In the
example, service resumed to the same set-top box 18 as was in-use
prior to the interruptions. There may be some situations where
there are multiple video devices in the premises 4 and the notice
(and recovery replay) go to a different one of those devices.
[0115] While the foregoing has described what are considered to be
the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various
modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter
disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples,
and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications,
only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by
the following claims to claim any and all applications,
modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the
present teachings.
[0116] Appendix: Acronym List
[0117] The description above has used a large number of acronyms to
refer to various services, messages and system components. Although
generally known, use of several of these acronyms is not strictly
standardized in the art. For the convenience of the reader, the
following list correlates terms to acronyms, as used in the
detailed description above.
[0118] Add-Drop Multiplexer (ADM)
[0119] Battery feed, Over-voltage protection, Ringing, Signaling,
Coding, Hybrid and Testing (BORSCHT)
[0120] Central Processing Unit (CPU)
[0121] Compact Disk (CD)
[0122] Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)
[0123] Conditional Access (CA)
[0124] Conditional Access System (CAS)
[0125] Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
[0126] Digital Video Disk (DVD)
[0127] Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
[0128] Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
[0129] Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)
[0130] Entitlement Control Message (ECM)
[0131] Entitlement Management Message (EMM)
[0132] Home Phoneline Networking Association (HomePNA)
[0133] Identification (ID)
[0134] Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
[0135] Interactive Program Guide (IPG)
[0136] Internet Service Provider (ISP)
[0137] Local Area Network (LAN)
[0138] Maintenance Operations Console (MOC)
[0139] Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)
[0140] Network Interface Device (NID)
[0141] Network Personal Video Recorder (NPVR)
[0142] Network Video Recorder (NVR)
[0143] Optical/Electrical (O/E) interface
[0144] Optical Line Terminal (OLT)
[0145] Optical Network Terminal (ONT)
[0146] Passive Optical Network (PON)
[0147] Pay-Per-View (PPV)
[0148] Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
[0149] Primary Interexchange Carrier (PIC)
[0150] Public, Education and Government (PEG) programming
[0151] Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
[0152] Read Only Memory (ROM)
[0153] Set-Top Box (STB)
[0154] Soft Network Interface Device (SNID)
[0155] Television (TV)
[0156] Super Headends (SHE)
[0157] Video Cassette Recorder (VCR)
[0158] Video Hub Office (VHO)
[0159] Video On Demand (VOD)
[0160] Video Serving Office (VSO)
[0161] Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
* * * * *