(12) United States Patent
`Bhagavath et al.
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006374288Bl
`US 6,374,288 Bl
`Apr.16, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE SERVER
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`DYNAMICALLY CHANGING BIT RATES IN
`RESPONSE TO USER REQUESTS AND TO
`MESSAGE TYPES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Vijay K. Bhagavath, Lincroft, NJ
`(US); Joseph Thomas O'Neil, Staten
`Island, NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: AT&T Corp, New York, NY (US)
`
`5,982,784 A * 11/1999 Bell ........................... 370/485
`5,999,563 A * 12/1999 Polley et al.
`............... 375/222
`6,044,403 A * 3/2000 Gerszberg et al. .......... 709/225
`6,047,319 A * 4/2000 Olson ......................... 709/223
`6,137,777 A * 10/2000 Vaid et al. .................. 370/230
`6,160,843 A * 12/2000 McHale et al. ............. 375/222
`6,223,221 Bl * 4/2001 Kunz
`......................... 709/224
`6,260,155 Bl * 7/2001 Dellacona ...................... 714/4
`6,282,273 Bl * 8/2001 McHale et al. .......... 379/93.28
`6,304,574 Bl * 10/2001 Schoo et al. ................ 370/401
`* cited by examiner
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`Primary Examiner-Ayaz Sheikh
`Assistant Examiner-Danh L Duong
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/233,283
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 19, 1999
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G06F 15/16
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 709/203; 709/223; 709/224;
`709/217; 375/222
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 709/201, 202,
`709/203, 217, 219, 222, 224, 225, 227,
`229, 223, 238, 250; 375/222, 219, 229,
`230, 235; 370/485, 230, 235, 420, 401;
`379/93.28, 114; 714/4
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,751,701 A
`5,787,470 A
`5,835,718 A
`5,852,717 A
`5,862,203 A *
`
`5/1998
`7/1998
`11/1998
`12/1998
`1/1999
`
`Langberg et al. ........... 370/281
`DeSimone et al.
`......... 711/124
`Blewett ... ... .. ... ... ... 395/200.48
`Bhide et al. .. ... .. ... . 395/200.33
`Wulkan et al.
`............. 379/114
`
`A server platform is programmed to receive requests from
`the customer digital subscriber line modems for changing
`the customer's class of service for access to the Internet. The
`server platform can provide an immediate change in the bit
`rate of a platform digital subscriber line modem in response
`to a customer's request. The server platform can provide a
`service plan that automatically changes the bit rate of a
`platform digital subscriber line modem in response to a
`customer's request. The server platform can selectively
`provide a schedule that is followed to automatically change
`the bit rate of a platform digital subscriber line modem in
`response to a customer's request. In addition, the server
`platform can selectively provide an option to automatically
`increase the bit rate of a platform digital subscriber line
`modem when receiving streaming video or audio content
`from the Internet. A database is coupled to the Ethernet LAN
`to store the class of service status of each respective platform
`digital subscriber line modem.
`
`29 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`______________________ 1 ______________ _
`
`SERVER PLATFORM 1 DO
`
`I
`
`I
`
`CUSTOMER
`xDSL MODEM ..----.-+-----t--i
`102(A)
`
`CUSTOMER
`xDSL MODEM
`102(8)
`
`CUSTOMER
`xDSL MODEM
`102(C)
`
`CUSTOMER
`xDSL MODEM
`102(D)
`
`CUSTOMER
`xDSL MODEM
`102(E)
`
`CUSTOMER
`xDSL MODEM
`102(F)
`
`PLATFORM
`xDSL MODEM
`104(Z)
`
`BILLING
`SERVER
`130
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 1 of 23
`
`

`

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`NETWORK
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`
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`
`110
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`1 I SUBSCRIBER
`
`LINE
`
`DIGITAL
`
`l 02(F)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`102(E)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`l 02(D)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`102(C)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`102(B)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`CUSTOMER I I I
`
`102(A)
`
`xDSL MODEM 1111
`
`I
`1
`
`______________________ J ______________ _
`
`SERVER PLATFORM l 00
`
`FIG. 1
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 2 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 2of12
`
`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`FIG. 2
`
`PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`104(X)
`
`/
`
`MEMORY222
`\
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`(----KBPS)
`
`xDSL PACKET BUFFER
`250
`
`ETHERNET FRAME BUFFER
`252
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`PLATFORM MODEM LOGIC 2 l 2(X)
`PROGRAM
`
`ETHERNET
`PROTOCOL
`PROGRAM
`240
`
`SNMP
`PROTOCOL
`PROGRAM
`242
`
`OPERATING
`SYSTEM 246
`
`xDSL
`PROTOCOL
`PROGRAM
`244
`
`I
`xDSL
`INTERFACE
`CARD
`232
`
`4 ')
`TO
`DSLAM
`103
`
`1BUS 224
`-
`
`I
`ETHERNET
`INTERFACE
`CARD
`230
`
`CPU
`PROCESSOR
`228
`
`-
`I
`TO
`ETHERNET
`LAN 106
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 3 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 3of12
`
`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`CUSTOMER xDSL MODEM
`102(A)
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`104(X)
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`~
`
`-
`
`~
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`206(A)
`( ---- KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`210(A)
`
`CUSTOMER xDSL MODEM
`102(A)
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`206(A)
`( ---- KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`210(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`~ .
`
`PLATFORM
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`212(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`( ---- KBPS)
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`104(X)
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`..
`..
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`.
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`PLATFORM
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`212(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`( ---- KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER xDSL MODEM
`102(A)
`
`FIG. 2C
`
`PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`104(X)
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`~
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`206(A)
`C ----KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`210(A)
`
`.
`.
`
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`204(X)
`
`PLATFORM
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`212(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`( ---- KBPS)
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 4 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 4of12
`
`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`CUSTOMER xDSL MODEM
`102(A)
`
`FIG. 2D
`
`PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`104(X)
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`206(A)
`( 128 KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`210(A)
`
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`202(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`212(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`( 128 KBPS)
`
`~
`
`~
`
`•
`
`..
`)
`INITIAL
`RATE
`NEGOTIATION
`
`CUSTOMER xDSL MODEM
`102(A)
`
`FIG. 2E
`
`PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`104(X)
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`206(A)
`( 160 KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`210(A)
`
`CUSTOMER
`REQUEST FOR
`NEXT HIGHER RATE
`) •
`.
`..
`l
`PLATFORM
`GRANTS
`REQUEST
`
`~
`
`~
`
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`204(X)
`
`PLATFORM
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`212(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`( 160 KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER xDSL MODEM
`102(A)
`
`FIG. 2F
`
`PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`104(X)
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`206(A)
`(1024 KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`210(A)
`
`~
`
`..
`)
`PLATFORM
`REQUIRES
`MAXIMUM RATE
`FOR STREAMING
`PACKETS
`
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`204(X)
`
`PLATFORM
`MODEM
`LOGIC
`212(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`(1024 KBPS)
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 5 of 23
`
`

`

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`
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`
`324(A)
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`
`SERVICE DATA PLAN DATA
`
`322(A)
`
`320(A)
`
`CLASS OF
`CUSTOMER
`
`( 128 KBPS)
`
`208(X)
`
`DATA RATE
`CURRENT
`
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`
`204(X)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
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`202(A)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
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`DATABASE 110
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`Ir
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`108
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`
`WEB
`
`ii'
`
`ETHERNET FRAME 302
`t
`
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`
`208(X)
`
`DATA RATE
`CURRENT
`
`204(X)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`202(A)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`
`308
`FIELD
`DATA
`
`104(X)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`PLATFORM
`
`FROM
`
`""'
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`
`306
`
`108
`
`SERVER
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`. WEB
`TO
`""'
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`
`304
`
`106
`LAN
`
`)
`
`DATA
`
`)
`
`J
`INITIAL
`
`ADDRESS
`DESTINATION SOURCE
`
`ADDRESS
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`104(X)
`
`PLATFORM
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 6 of 23
`
`

`

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`204(X)
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`BIT RATE
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`
`202(A)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`xDSL MODEM 104(X)
`
`TO PLATFORM
`
`SNMP SET REQUEST 340(A)
`
`SERVICE DATA PLAN DATA
`
`322(A)
`
`320(A)
`
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`
`108
`
`SERVER
`
`WEB
`,,
`
`ETHERNET FRAME 302'
`t
`
`330(A)
`
`NEXT HIGHER RATE
`
`REQUEST FOR
`CUSTOMER
`
`..
`308
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`DATA
`
`104(X)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`PLATFORM
`
`FROM
`..
`306
`
`108
`
`SERVER
`
`WEB
`TO
`..
`3o4
`
`~
`
`106
`LAN
`
`)
`)
`
`REQUEST
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`ADDRESS
`DESTINATION SOURCE
`
`ADDRESS
`
`104(X)
`
`xDSL MODEM
`
`PLATFORM
`
`FIG. 38
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 7 of 23
`
`

`

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`
`106
`
`,_340(A)
`
`xDSL MODEM 104(X)
`
`TO PLATFORM
`"RATE = 160 KBPS"
`SNMP SET REQUEST
`
`NEXT HIGHER RATE
`
`GRANT OF
`PLATFORM
`
`112
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`SNMP
`
`, ..
`
`-340(A)
`
`xDSL MODEM 104(X)
`
`TO PLATFORM
`"RATE = 160 KBPS"
`SNMP SET REQUEST
`
`ETHERNET FRAME 302"
`
`t
`
`xDSL MODEM CONTROLLER
`
`112
`
`104(X)
`
`"'
`\
`308
`FIELD
`DATA
`
`SNMP
`FROM
`
`"'
`\
`306
`
`PLATFORM
`
`TO
`"'
`\
`304
`
`ADDRESS
`SOURCE
`
`ADDRESS
`
`DESTINATION
`
`CUSTOMER CUSTOMER
`
`SERVICE
`
`CLASS OF
`CUSTOMER
`
`324(A)
`DATA
`BILLING
`
`SERVICE DATA PLAN DATA
`
`322(A)
`
`320(A)
`
`( 160 KBPS)
`
`208(X)
`
`DATA RATE
`CURRENT
`
`204(X)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`202(A)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`
`DATABASE 110
`
`FIG. 3C
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 8 of 23
`
`

`

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`
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`
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`
`TO PLATFORM
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`"RATE = l 024 KBPS"
`SNMP SET REQUEST
`
`324(A)
`DATA
`BILLING
`
`322(A)
`
`PLAN DATA
`
`SERVICE
`
`CUSTOMER CUSTOMER
`
`320(A)
`
`SERVICE DATA
`
`CLASS OF
`CUSTOMER
`
`( 128 KBPS)
`
`208(X)
`
`DATA RATE
`CURRENT
`
`204(X)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`PLATFORM
`
`202(A)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`CUSTOMER
`
`DATABASE 110
`
`108
`
`SERVER
`
`WEB
`
`..
`
`TCP/IP ENVELOPE 402
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`
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`
`=VIDEO
`
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`HTTP RESPONSE
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`.
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`DATA
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`114
`
`GATEWAY
`
`HTTP
`
`.
`.
`
`120
`
`NETWORK
`INTERNET
`
`)
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 9 of 23
`
`

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`
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`
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`SNMP SET REQUEST
`
`FOR STREAMING PACKETS
`
`MAXIMUM RATE
`
`PLATFORM REQURES
`
`112
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`SNMP
`
`r--440(A)
`
`xDSL MODEM l 04(X)
`
`TO PLATFORM
`
`"RATE = l 024 KBPS"
`SNMP SET REQUEST
`
`"'
`\
`308
`FIELD
`DATA
`
`ETHERNET FRAME 302'"
`t
`
`xDSL MODEM CONTROLLER
`
`112
`
`104(X)
`
`SNMP
`FROM
`
`306
`
`"'
`\
`
`PLATFORM
`
`TO
`"'
`\
`304
`
`ADDRESS
`SOURCE
`
`ADDRESS
`
`DESTINATION
`
`SERVICE
`
`CUSTOMER CUSTOMER
`
`324(A)
`DATA
`BILLING
`
`SERVICE DATA PLAN DATA
`
`322(A)
`
`320(A)
`
`CLASS OF
`CUSTOMER
`
`( 160 KBPS)
`
`DATA RATE
`CURRENT
`
`208(X)
`
`204(X)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`CUSTOMER PLATFORM
`
`202(A)
`TABLE
`BIT RATE
`
`DATABASE 110
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 10 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`FIG. 5
`
`WEB SERVER
`108
`
`/
`
`MEMORY522
`\
`
`CUSTOMER DATA BUFFER 535
`
`CUSTOMER
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`202(A)
`
`PLATFORM
`BIT RATE
`TABLE
`204(X)
`
`CURRENT
`DATA RATE
`208(X)
`( ---- KBPS)
`
`CUSTOMER
`CUSTOMER
`SERVICE
`CLASS OF
`SERVICE DATA PLAN DATA
`320(A)
`322(A)
`
`I
`
`402
`\
`
`TO
`CUSTOMER "A"
`ADDRESS
`404
`
`FROM
`INTERNET
`SOURCE
`406
`
`DATA
`FIELD
`408
`
`ETHERNET FRAME BUFFER 550
`
`TCP/IP ENVELOPE BUFFER 552
`
`I
`
`HTIP RESPONSE
`
`HEADER FIELD v
`
`430
`
`CONTENT TYPE
`=VIDEO
`
`SNMP
`SET REQUEST
`MESSAGE
`BUFFER 556
`
`SNMP SET REQUEST
`"RATE = l 024 KBPS"
`TO PLATFORM
`xDSL MODEM l 04(X)
`
`>--- 440(A)
`
`SNMP
`PROTOCOL
`PROGRAM 542
`
`TCP/IP
`PROTOCOL
`PROGRAM544
`
`WEB SERVER
`LOGIC PROGRAM
`560
`
`OPERATING
`SYSTEM 546
`
`ETHERNET
`PROTOCOL
`PROGRAM540
`
`.. 7
`TO
`GATEWAY
`114
`
`TCP/IP
`INTERFACE
`CARD
`532
`
`DATABASE
`110
`
`1~
`TO CONTROLLER 112
`
`1BUS 524
`- I
`
`CPU
`PROCESSOR
`528
`
`I
`ETHERNET
`INTERFACE
`CARD
`530
`
`~
`
`-
`I
`TO
`ETHERNET
`LAN 106
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 11 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`FIG. 6
`
`602--
`
`604~
`
`600
`/
`
`STORE BIT RATE TABLE AND CURRENT DATA RATE
`OF CUSTOMER'S xDSL MODEM
`INTO DATABASE
`
`!
`
`SEND CUSTOMER'S REQUEST FOR HIGHER BIT RATE
`TO WEB SERVER
`
`i
`606~ CHECK BIT RATE TABLE AT WEBSERVER AND AUTHORIZE
`HIGHER BIT RATE FOR CUSTOMER'S xDSL MODEM
`i
`
`608....__
`
`SEND SNMP MESSAGE AUTHORIZING HIGHER BIT RATE
`TO PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`
`610~
`
`!
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION FOR HIGHER BIT RATE
`TO CUSTOMER'S xDSL MODEM
`
`CSCO-1107
`Cisco v. TQ Delta, IPR2016-01006
`Page 12 of 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 16, 2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`FIG. 7
`
`700
`/
`
`/
`
`RECEIVE HTTP HEADER INDICATING STREAMING DATA
`
`IDENTIFY HIGHER BIT RATE REQUIREMENT FROM HEADER
`
`FORWARD HTTP HEADER TO WEBSERVER
`
`WEBSERVER AUTHORIZES HIGHER BIT RATE
`
`SEND AUTHORIZATION TO SNMP CONTROLLER
`
`SEND AUTHORIZATION TO PLATFORM xDSL MODEM
`
`SET PLATFORM xDSL MODEM TO HIGHER BIT RATE
`
`SET CUSTOMER xDSL MODEM TO HIGHER BIT RATE
`
`ACKNOWLEDGE SETTING MODEMS TO HIGHER BIT RATE
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO WEBSERVER
`
`TRANSMIT READY MESSAGE TO NETWORK SOURCE
`
`RECEIVE STREAMING DATA FROM NETWORK
`
`702
`
`704
`
`706
`
`707
`
`708
`
`710
`
`712
`
`714
`
`716
`
`718
`
`720
`
`722
`
`CSCO-1107
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`Page 13 of 23
`
`

`

`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`1
`DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE SERVER
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`DYNAMICALLY CHANGING BIT RATES IN
`RESPONSE TO USER REQUESTS AND TO
`MESSAGE TYPES
`
`FILED OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention broadly relates to telecommunications and
`more particularly relates to improvements in digital sub(cid:173)
`scriber line networks.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`There are several forms of the Digital Subscriber Line
`protocol, referred to collectively as "xDSL". They have the
`common feature of operating at high bit rates and with a high
`reliability over existing twisted pair copper lines. xDSL
`makes full use of the copper line frequency spectrum of
`approximately 2 MHz, it uses advanced modulation and
`coding methods, and it works simultaneously with the plain
`old telephone system (POTS) on the same copper line.
`Twisted pair copper lines have a useable frequency spec(cid:173)
`trum of approximately 2 MHz, which depending on the
`length of the line, can be used for data communication at
`various bit rates. However, there are two limitations: first,
`the lower 4 kHz must be reserved for POTS signals where
`applicable, and second, the signal to noise ratio is not the
`same in all frequencies.
`Discrete MultiTone (DMT) is a modulation technique
`used in xDSL technologies, that divides the frequency range
`into 256 sub-frequencies, from 64 kHz to 2 MHz. Each
`sub-frequency is an independent channel which has its own
`stream of signals . Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
`(ADSL) protocol, one of the family of xDSL protocols,
`defines a pilot stream of data which is known to both
`endpoints in advance. This pilot stream of data is transmitted
`on each sub-frequency to enable the endpoints to find the
`specific signal to noise ratio (SNR) for each sub-frequency.
`This information is used to allocate the data over the various
`sub-frequencies. The POTS signals in the lower 4 kHz band
`are separated by an analog splitter, thereby enabling tele(cid:173)
`phone voice calls to simultaneously share the twisted pair
`copper line with ADSL digital signals. ADSL is asymmetric
`in its allocation of more bandwidth to the downstream
`signals from the network to the customer, compared with
`less bandwidth in the upstream direction.
`The various forms of digital subscriber line (xDSL)
`technologies are known under the acronyms ADSL, HDSL,
`RADSL, SDSL, and VDSL. Their principal characteristics
`are reviewed as follows:
`ADSL: Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) pro(cid:173)
`tocol is a passband modulation of coded information bit
`streams over the POTS twisted-pair two-wire telephony
`copper loop. This protocol uses two-dimensional modula(cid:173)
`tion schemes such as carrierless amplitude-phase (CAP) or
`discrete multi-tone (DMT). Carrierless amplitude phase
`modulation (CAP) is a version of quadrature amplitude
`modulation (QAM) that stores parts of a modulated message
`signal in memory and then reassembles the parts in the
`modulated wave. The carrier signal is suppressed before
`transmission because it contains no information and is
`reassembled at the receiving modem (hence the word "car(cid:173)
`rierless" in CAP). Commercially available ADSL modems
`are capable of transmitting up to 8 Megabits per second
`(Mbps) downstream in the 240 kHz to 2 MHz loop fre(cid:173)
`quency band and up to 1 Mbps upstream in the 25 kHz-200
`kHz spectral band, simultaneously with 0-4 kHz telephony
`
`5
`
`35
`
`2
`(POTS) signals. State-of-the-art ADSL modems typically
`employ rate-adaptation, with a granularity (e.g., 32 kbps for
`DMT and 320 kbps for CAP in current implementations) to
`increase or decrease the transmitted bit rate automatically in
`response to variations in loop noise conditions and loop
`lengths. The ADSL standard is described in American
`National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Tl.413,
`entitled "Telecommunications-Network and Customer
`installation Interfaces-Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
`10 (ADSL) Metallic Interface", (ADSL 6.1 Mbps).
`HDSL: High-data-rate DSL (HDSL) is a four-wire (two(cid:173)
`pair) access protocol for achieving symmetrical data trans(cid:173)
`mission rates, conforming to either the Tl (1.544 Mbps) or
`El (2.048 Mbps) standards, using either baseband the ISDN
`15 encoding technique of two binary, one quaternary (2B1Q)or
`passband CAP (e.g., CAP64) modulation schemes. Frac(cid:173)
`tional Tl or El rates are supported by most HDSL modem
`vendors using nx64 kbps clocking schemes. The HDSL
`spectrum in the copper loop extends approximately between
`20 0-300 kHz for passband modulated-transmission (e.g.,
`CAP64) and 0--425 kHz for baseband 2B1Q) modulated data
`transmission. In practice, commercially-available HDSL
`modems (specifically the baseband 2B1Q HDSL modems),
`do not support simultaneous transport of analog telephony
`25 and the HDSL modulated data signals.
`RADSL: Rate-adaptive digital subscriber line (RADSL)
`adjusts transmission speed according to the length and
`quality of the local line. Connection speed is established
`when the line is initially synchronized or is set by a signal
`30 from the central office. This is similar to CCITT standard
`V.34 modems, which initialize communications with one
`another by first listing which bit rates they support. Then
`they go into a test mode to determine which of the supported
`bit rates is the highest one which can be used for each new
`connection. RADSL modems poll the line before transmit-
`ting and periodically monitor the line speed during a session
`to determine if it is necessary to change bit rates due to
`changes in the line condition. If the RADSL modems
`recognize that they are experiencing a very low error rate
`over a given time period, they can agree to go to a higher bit
`rate. Alternatively, they can go to a lower bit rate if line
`conditions indicate that too many errors have occurred
`during some period.
`SDSL: Symmetric DSL (SDSL) protocol is a two-wire
`(single-pair) implementation of the ISDN encoding tech(cid:173)
`nique of two binary, one quaternary (2B1Q) or of the CAP
`modem technologies using state-of-the-art echo(cid:173)
`cancellation and adaptive-equalization techniques. This
`50 achieves symmetric data transmission rates of 384 kbps, 768
`kbps, 1 Mbps, 1.5 Mbps, or 2 Mbps . Sub-Tl/El rates can
`be obtained using nx64 kbps clocking techniques.
`VDSL: Very-high-speed DSL protocol supports data
`transmission rates of 6.5 Mbps to 51.8 Mbps (the Synchro-
`55 nous Optical Network OC-1 rate) downstream and 1.6 Mbps
`to 6.5 Mbps upstream, for asymmetrical services. VDSL
`protocol supports data transmission rates of 6.5 Mbps to
`25.9 Mbps for symmetrical services, over short two-wire
`loops (typically around 1 kft). Candidate modulation
`60 schemes proposed for VDSL include M-ary CAP, M-ary
`quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and DMT.
`Although xDSL technologies offer the advantage of high
`data rates over the ubiquitous, twisted pair POTS lines, there
`remain areas needing improvement. One area needing
`65 improvement is in the lack of control by the customer or by
`the system administrator over the privileges and features,
`referred to in telephone parlance as the "class of service", of
`
`40
`
`45
`
`CSCO-1107
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`Page 14 of 23
`
`

`

`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`4
`Ethernet LAN identifies the recorded request on the database
`and in response, forms a control message that is sent to the
`respective platform digital subscriber line modem that is
`coupled to the customer's modem. The control message
`5 changes the class of service provided by the platform digital
`subscriber line modem to conform with the customer's
`request. This mode of operation of the server platform is
`used to provide an immediate change in the bit rate, to
`provide a service plan that automatically changes the bit rate
`10 of a platform digital subscriber line modem, and to provide
`a schedule that is followed to automatically change the bit
`rate of a platform digital subscriber line modem.
`The server platform includes an HTTP gateway that
`couples the server platform to the Internet. The gateway
`15 monitors HTTP packets received from the Internet and
`identifies streaming data packets that require a higher bit
`rate. In response to detecting the streaming packets, the
`HTTP gateway sends an HTTP response header field to the
`web server. The web server prepares an SNMP set request
`20 message specifying a high bit rate, and stores the message in
`the database. The web server then sends the SNMP Set
`Request message to the SNMP controller, which forms an
`Ethernet frame containing the message and sends it to the
`platform modem. The controller sends the control message
`in an Ethernet frame to the platform xDSL modem addressed
`by the HTTP packet, to change its bit rate. This mode of
`operation enables the server platform to automatically
`increase the bit rate of a platform xDSL modem when
`receiving streaming video or audio content from the Internet
`30 network.
`
`3
`the customer's xDSL connection to the digital network. A
`primary component of the customer's class of service is the
`data rate of the customer's data communication session. A
`customer does not need, and should not have to pay for, a
`megabit per second data rate when sending email over the
`Internet. However, that same customer will require a mega(cid:173)
`bit per second data rate when receiving streaming data, such
`as full motion digital video, over the Internet. What is
`needed is a way for a customer or network administrator
`with a web-based interface to change the class of service of
`the customer's xDSL connection to the digital network,
`referred to in telephone parlance as the customer's "local
`loop". What is needed is for a customer or network admin(cid:173)
`istrator to be able to request an immediate change in the bit
`rate during the customer's xDSL session. What is needed is
`for the customer to be able to subscribe to a service plan that
`automatically changes the bit rate of the customer's xDSL
`local loop, depending on the customer's usage or the type of
`data traffic occurring during a session. What is needed is for
`a customer or network administrator to be able to define a
`schedule that is followed to automatically change the bit rate
`of the customer's xDSL loop based on the time of the day,
`the day of the week, or other schedulable factors. What is
`needed is for a customer or network administrator to be able
`to select an option to automatically increase the bit rate of an 25
`xDSL loop when receiving streaming video or audio content
`from the Internet.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A server platform communicates with a plurality of cus(cid:173)
`tomer digital subscriber line modems at customer sites and
`also communicates with an Internet service provider con(cid:173)
`nected to the Internet. The server platform includes a plu(cid:173)
`rality of platform digital subscriber line modems, each
`respectively connected to a customer digital subscriber line 35
`modem. The platform includes an Ethernet local area net(cid:173)
`work (LAN) that is coupled to each of the platform digital
`subscriber line modems. A web server is coupled to the
`Ethernet LAN, and is coupled to the Internet. Customers
`communicate with websites on the Internet through the 40
`server platform.
`In accordance with the invention, the web server in the
`server platform is programmed to receive requests from the
`customer digital subscriber line modems for changing the
`customer's class of service for access to the Internet. The 45
`server platform can provide an immediate change in the bit
`rate of a platform digital subscriber line modem in response
`to a customer's request. The server platform can provide a
`service plan that automatically changes the bit rate of a
`platform digital subscriber line modem in response to a 50
`customer's request. The server platform can selectively
`provide a schedule that is followed to automatically change
`the bit rate of a platform digital subscriber line modem in
`response to a customer's request. In addition, the server
`platform can selectively provide an option to automatically 55
`increase the bit rate of a platform digital subscriber line
`modem when receiving streaming video or audio content
`from the Internet. A database is coupled to the Ethernet LAN
`to store the class of service status of each respective platform
`digital subscriber line modem.
`When a customer requests from the customer digital
`subscriber line modem, changing the customer's class of
`service for access to the Internet, the platform digital sub(cid:173)
`scriber line modem causes an Ethernet packet containing the
`request, to be addressed to the web server. In response, the 65
`web server can grant the customer's request and record it in
`the database. An SNMP network manager coupled to the
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 is an overall architectural diagram of the server
`platform 100 and its relationship with the customer modems
`102(A) to 102(F) and the Internet network 120.
`FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the platform xDSL
`modem 104(X), illustrating its memory 222, CPU processor
`228, xDSL interface card 232 and Ethernet interface card
`230 hardware components. Also shown are the various data
`buffers and executable programs in its memory 222.
`FIG. 2A shows state of the customer xDSL modem
`102(A) and the platform xDSL modem 104(X) before the
`beginning of a session.
`FIG. 2B shows state of the customer xDSL modem and
`the platform xDSL modem during the initial phase of
`negotiation of session parameters, when the customer bit
`rate table 202(A) for the customer modem 102(A) and the
`platform bit rate table 204(X) for the platform modem
`104(X) are exchanged.
`FIG. 2C shows state of the customer xDSL modem and
`the platform xDSL modem after the bit rate tables for the
`customer modem and for the platform modem have been
`exchanged and stored in the respective receiving modems.
`FIG. 2D shows state of the customer xDSL modem and
`the platform xDSL modem after the initial bit rate of 128
`kbps has been established and stored in buffer 206(A) in the
`customer modem 102(A) and in buffer 208(X) in the plat-
`60 form modem 104(X), using the bit rate tables 202(A) and
`204(X).
`FIG. 2E shows state of the customer xDSL modem and
`the platform xDSL modem when the customer modem
`102(A) requests the next higher bit rate in its table 202(A)
`and the platform modem 104(X) grants the request.
`FIG. 2F shows state of the customer xDSLmodem and the
`platform xDSL modem when the platform modem 104(X)
`
`CSCO-1107
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`Page 15 of 23
`
`

`

`US 6,374,288 Bl
`
`5
`requires the customer modem 102(A) to assume the maxi(cid:173)
`mum bit rate in the customer's table 202(A) in order to
`handle incoming streaming packets.
`FIG. 3A is a data flow diagram showing the platform
`xDSL modem 104(X sending an Ethernet frame 302 to the
`web server 108, containing initial session data, including the
`initial bit rate of 128 kbps, that has resulted from the initial
`phase of negotiation of session parameters. The Ethernet
`frame is shown also containing the bit rate tables 202(A) and
`204(X) of available rates for the customer modem and for 10
`the platform modem. The web server 108 is shown in
`responding by forwarding the initial session data and both
`bit rate tables to the database 110.
`FIG. 3B is a data flow diagram showing the platform
`xDSL modem 104(X) sending an Ethernet frame 302' to the
`web server 108, containing a customer request 330(A) for
`the next higher bit rate in the customer's table 202(A). The
`web server 108 is shown in responding by forming an SNMP
`Set Request message "Rate=160 kbps", which is intended
`for the platform modem 104(X), and storing it in the 20
`database 110.
`FIG. 3C is a data flow diagram showing the database 110
`sending the SNMP Set Request message "Rate=160 kbps",
`to the SNMP controller 112, which forms an Ethernet frame
`302" containing the message and sends it to the platform
`modem 104(X).
`FIG. 4A is a data flow diagram showing the HTTP
`gateway 114 receiving a TCP/IP protocol data unit 402 from
`the Internet network 120, containing an HTTP header 30
`response field stating "Content Type= Video". The HTTP
`gateway 114 is shown forwarding the TCP/IP protocol data
`unit 402 to the web server 108. The web server 108 is shown
`in responding by forming an SNMP Set Request message
`"Rate=1024 kbps", which is intended for the platform 35
`modem 104(X), and storing it in the database 110.
`FIG. 4B is a data flow diagram showing the database 110
`sending the SNMP Set Request message "Rate=1024 kbps",
`to the SNMP controller 112, which forms an Ethernet frame
`302"' containing the message and sends it to the platform 40
`modem 104(X).
`FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the web server
`108, illustrating its memory 522, CPU processor 528, TCP/
`IP interface card 532 and Ethernet interface card 530 hard-
`ware components. Also shown is the database 110 which is 45
`connected to the SNMP controller 112. The various data
`buffers and executable programs in the web server's
`memory 522 are also shown.
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates the method of
`setting the xDSL modems to a new bit rate value in response 50
`to a request from the customer.
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram 700 that illustrates the method of
`preparing the xDSL modems for the receipt of the streaming
`data from the Internet.
`
`6
`103 to a customer digital subscriber line modem 102(A),
`102(F), and 102(B). The multiplexer 103 is a Digital Sub(cid:173)
`scriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), which is a
`network device usually located at a telephone company
`5 central office. The DSL