US 8,458,756 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12) United States Patent
`
`Rodriguez et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 4, 2013
`
`USOO8458756B2
`
`(54) VIDEOPHONE OVER CABLE NETWORKS
`
`(76)
`
`.
`-
`Inventors AUrgurons' Rfidr‘iguse?’ Nircrgss’ GA
`(GA $81)"? _yA 'Rm‘f” yAtluntlmlClili
`; uis
`.
`ov1ra,
`an a,
`(US); William E. Wall, Jr., Atlanta, GA
`(US); Neilesh R. Patel, Boston, MA
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 927 days.
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(21) APPI- N0-3 11567-1890
`
`5,642,155 A
`5,684,799 A
`5,708,853 A *
`5,724,092 A
`5,745,837 A
`
`6/1997 Cheng ........................... 725/119
`
`11/1997 Bingham et al.
`370/397
`1/1998 Sanemitsu ............... 710/73
`
`3/1998 Davidsohn et al.
`.
`348/1401
`
`4/1998 Fuhrmann ....................... 455/51
`.
`(Commued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`US. Official Action mailed Jul. 8, 2004 in US. Appl. No.
`09/481’155'
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Annan Shang
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Merchant & Gould
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 7, 2006
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007/0126856A1
`
`JHIL 7, 2007
`
`Related US. Application Data
`.
`.
`.
`.
`JContlirziugggg Of appllicaéion 3101391148 1,155,ffi1e(1.on
`afn.
`13
`.
`’ new01878157015169:5’ V511 1: Elf/{C01111611121990711
`0 appbica(tiion do.
`’
`’
`e on
`ay
`’
`’
`now a an one ‘
`Int Cl
`'
`'
`H04N 7/173
`(52) U S Cl
`'
`'
`'
`........ 725/106, 725/ 109, 370/265
`USPC ...........
`(58) Fleld 0f Class1ficatlon Search
`USPC
`..................... 725/877120; 370/2657268
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`5,191,601 A
`5,343,240 A
`5,347,305 A
`5,396,269 A
`5,534,914 A
`5,600,364 A *
`
`......................... 379/53
`3/1993 Idaetal.
`8/1994 Yu .............
`348/14
`9/1994 Bush et a1.
`348/14
`..
`3/1995 Gotoh et a1.
`348/14
`........
`7/1996 Flohr et a1.
`348/15
`2/1997 Hendricks et a1.
`................ 725/9
`
`
`
`The present invention is directedto a Videophone system
`implemented over a cable televrsron network. The instant
`invention provides a videophone comprising a camera for
`capturing images associated with a Videophone signal, a
`Videophone unit and a set top terminal or cable modem con-
`necting the Videophone to a cable television network. Video-
`phone signals created at the call origination site are encoded
`and transported to a predetermined destination over an exist-
`ing cable television network. The system uses IP addresses as
`phone number on the network. Additionally, transport of
`Videophone signals between different cable systems is
`accom lished via a hi
`-s eed lon distance data network,
`P
`P .
`g
`.
`such as, for example, a satellite network, that provrdes com-
`munication between the headends of the different cable tele-
`vision systems. The set top terminal may be a conventional
`subscriber terminal, a cable modem or a subscriber terminal
`configured to operate as a cable modem. The set top terminal
`provides the interface between the Videophone and the cable
`television system. More than one Videophone may be con-
`nected to a single set top terminal. Display ofVideophone data
`may be achieved using any conventional display device,
`including a television set or a personal computer monitor.
`Accordingly, the Videophone system described herein takes
`advantage of increased bandwidth and lower cost realized by
`using existing cable television infrastructure and technology.
`
`20 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`To mums”: on W
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`A
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`Headend
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`|PR2020-00200
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`US 8,458,756 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,761,286 A
`6/1998 Dasetal.
`................. 379/127.06
`5,764,756 A
`6/1998 Onweller .....
`379/242
`.
`5,808,662 A *
`9/1998 Kinney et al.
`348/14.1
`
`9/1998 Peters et al.
`5,812,778 A *
`.
`...... 725/86
`.. 348/333.02
`5,903,309 A
`5/1999 Anderson
`
`.
`6/1999 B0urs1er et a1.
`. 348/14.01
`5,910,815 A
`
`..
`.
`7/1999 E11“ """""""""""" 386/98
`5930451 A
`
`...........
`10/1999 Gotoh et al.
`5,966,164 A
`348/14.01
`5,982,424 A
`11/1999 Simerly
`5,999,207 A
`12/1999 Rodriguez et al.
`......... 348/14
`
`6,011,782 A >x<
`1/2000 DeSimone et al
`370/260
`
`6,011,909 A
`1/2000 Nerin et al.
`................. 709/227
`6,014,545 A
`1/2000 Wu etal.
`....................... 725/118
`6,069,919 A
`5/2000 Kwon et al.
`.
`375/240.12
`
`8/2000 Yamamoto .................... 370/399
`6,111,882 A
`6,119,161 A *
`9/2000 Litaetal.
`...................... 709/227
`
`6,134,223 A * 10/2000 Burke et al.
`.
`370/265
`6,141,652 A
`10/2000 Reeder ............................ 705/53
`
`6,177,931 B1*
`6,256,321 131*
`6,259,471 B1
`6,288,742 B1
`6,317,884 B1
`6,493,874 B2
`6,546,005 B1
`6,587,480 B1
`6614 783 B1*
`’
`’
`
`
`.............. 725/52
`1/2001 Alexander et a1.
`370/464
`7/2001 Kobayashl
`~~~~~~~
`348/14.12
`..
`7/2001 Peters et al.
`
`-
`............. 348/211.14
`9/2001 Ansariet al.
`11/2001 Eames etal.
`.................. 709/217
`12/2002 Humpleman
`..... 725/78
`4/2003 Berkley et al.
`370/353
`
`-
`-
`7/2003 Higgins et al.
`370/522
`9/2003 Sonesh etal
`370/352
`' """""""""
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`US. Official Action mailed Jun. 15, 2005 in US. Appl. No.
`09/481,155
`US. Official Action mailed Jan. 31, 2006 in US. Appl. No.
`09/481,155.
`US. Official Action mailed Sep. 6, 2006 in US. Appl. No.
`09/481,155.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`|PR2020-00200
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`U.S. Patent
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`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 4, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of9
`
`US 8,458,756 B2
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`Videophone
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`FIG.3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 4, 2013
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`Sheet 4 of 9
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`US 8,458,756 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 4, 2013
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`Sheet 6 of 9
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`US 8,458,756 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 4, 2013
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`Sheet 7 of 9
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`US 8,458,756 B2
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`US 8,458,756 B2
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`US 8,458,756 B2
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`US 8,458,756 B2
`
`1
`VIDEOPHONE OVER CABLE NETWORKS
`
`RELATED INFORMATION
`
`The present application is a continuation of US. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/481,155, Rodriguez et al., entitled
`“Vldeophone over Cable Networks,” filed Jan. 12, 2000 now
`abandoned, which is a continuation ofUS. patent application
`Ser. No. 08/857,595, Rodriguez et al., filed May 16, 1997 now
`abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to a Video tele-
`phone system. In particular, the instant invention is directed to
`a Video telephone system implemented over a cable network,
`such as, for example, an existing cable television (CATV)
`network.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Recent advances in telephony have made possible full
`duplex audio communication in conjunction with full duplex
`video communication. However, many disadvantages are
`present when implementing video telephony over existing
`telephone lines. Chief among the problems is that of unac-
`ceptable image quality. The images do not have the requisite
`clarity and sharpness to which consumers have become
`accustomed. Additionally, motion of the video frames is fre-
`quently jittery and synchronism between the motion of the
`video and the corresponding audio is lost.
`There are several high and medium speed transmission
`technologies currently in use that are capable of carrying
`acceptable quality digital video telephone (hereinafter
`referred to as “videophone”) signals. Examples ofthese trans-
`mission media include local area networks (LAN) or wide
`area networks (WAN), which have been used for video con-
`ferencing and the like. However, few consumers have access
`to such networks except via modems that are too slow to
`accommodate videophone signals in an acceptable manner,
`i.e., without delays and jitter, thereby failing to alleviate the
`problems with conventional videophone over existing tele-
`phone networks. Additional means for connecting consumers
`and businesses alike to videophone technology are becoming
`increasingly available. Among these new technologies are
`various forms of digital subscriber lines OCDSL), ISDN, and
`subscriber networks known as switched digital video or fiber-
`to-the-curb (FTTC).
`Many of the above methods for providing videophone ser-
`vices to consumers and businesses suffers from the disadvan-
`
`tage that a new infrastructure must be built at great, almost
`prohibitive, cost. Furthermore, none of the above-mentioned
`alternatives has the ability to carry existing analog television
`signals. In order to overcome these and numerous other dis-
`advantages in the transport of videophone signals, what is
`needed is a system that is capable of utilizing existing infra-
`structure, while providing the speed and bandwidth capacity
`required to realize acceptable videophone signals, thereby
`avoiding the expense of new infrastructure and providing
`greater access to videophone services.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a videophone system
`and method for transporting videophone signals over an exist-
`ing cable network that overcomes the disadvantages and defi-
`ciencies of known videophone systems. In particular, the
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`present invention provides a videophone system that uses
`existing cable television networks to transport videophone
`signals to subscribers of the cable television system in an
`efficient and inexpensive manner. Modern digital cable tele-
`vision (CATV) transmission technology offers many advan-
`tages over conventional videophone and video conferencing
`technology. For example, much of the existing infrastructure
`of conventional CATV systems may be reused for video-
`phone. Additionally, CATV provides for the carriage of exist-
`ing analog television signals. Services, such as analog televi-
`sion, can thus share in the cost of the infrastructure and assist
`in providing a practical and economical means for transport-
`ing videophone traffic among consumers, i.e., subscribers of
`the CATV system, and between consumers and businesses.
`The tree-and-branch topology of CATV distribution sys-
`tems provides unique advantages for downstream (from a
`headend to a subscriber) broadcast or multicast. The funnel-
`ing of the tree-and-branch topology in the upstream (from a
`subscriber to a headend or application server) direction helps
`to aggregate respondents in a multicast connection. CATV
`systems also tend to be designed with asymmetrical band-
`width. In other words, there is a very large information car-
`rying capacity in the downstream direction, with lower, but
`quite adequate, capacity in the up stream direction. The down-
`stream capacity is high enough that digital television quality
`video and high fidelity multichannel and/or multi language
`audio can be sent in the downstream direction. This combi-
`
`nation of features is ideal for many applications, including
`videophone and video conferencing. For example, in distance
`learning, students can tune into a high quality multicast class,
`while the teacher can view a mosaic composite of the
`remotely attending students and respond to questions in
`nearly real time. Businesses can display and sell products and
`services with high quality video and audio, while seeing
`reduced quality video images of their customers, thereby
`providing more personalized, albeit remote, service. Tolls
`may be paid by the businesses, such as, for example, adver-
`tising and sales applications, or even by consumers for ser-
`vices analogous to those that now charge by means of 900
`numbers, for example.
`The CATV system provides connection to consumers and
`businesses alike. Existing long distance high— speed networks,
`including telephone and high-speed satellite television net-
`works, can provide transport of videophone signals between
`different CATV systems, thereby providing a link between
`users of different systems. These same long distance net-
`works can provide videophone connects to remote servers as
`well. Because of the numerous advantages associated with
`CATV systems,
`the preferred embodiment of the instant
`invention described herein uses CATV to transport the video-
`phone signals. However, it will be understood that the inven-
`tion described herein is not limited to CATV systems. For
`example, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks
`may also be used.
`According to a preferred embodiment ofthe present inven-
`tion, videophone signals are transported over a CATV net-
`work to users ofthe CATV system. The users, or remote ends,
`ofthe CATV system are equipped with a videophone, a set top
`terminal (STT), a monitor (e.g., a television set), a micro-
`phone to capture speech, i.e., audio, data, and optionally, a
`suitable camera for capturing video data for transmission to
`another user. Videophone signals are generated at the origi-
`nating STT and are modulated to be transmitted via the cable
`network through the receiving STT. The receiving STT must
`have the ability to parse and extract videophone and related
`data from the data stream.
`
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`US 8,458,756 B2
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`3
`It is important for videophone signals for a given system to
`be compatible with the process and capabilities of the various
`STTs. In a preferred embodiment, the STTs are all digital and
`are provided with the appropriate hardware and software to be
`able to process encoded, compressed digital data, such as, for
`example, MPEG-2 data. At the STT, videophone signals are
`processed, as required, for the receiver at the remote end. If an
`STT does not have the required compatibility with a given
`data standard, some form of data conversion may be required.
`Typically, this data format conversion would take place at a
`headend ofthe CATV system by an application server or other
`dedicated hardware, given the greater processing power resi-
`dent at the headend. It will be understood that STTs may also
`be used to perform the appropriate conversions but, as a
`practical matter, processing power limitations of the STTs
`make the headend a more suitable means for signal conver-
`sion. If the originating STT is compatible with the receiving
`STT, no conversion is necessary. Handshaking between the
`originating and receiving STTs enable the STTs to know the
`videophone signal format being used. Accordingly, if the
`originating STTs videophone signals are compatible with the
`receiving STT, the receiving STT can initiate the appropriate
`procedures and methods for decoding or processing the
`incoming videophone signals. If, on the other hand, the origi-
`nating STT determines that an incompatible format is being
`used, it can either convert the signals itself, if it has the
`requisite processing capability, or preferably, the conversion
`may take place at the headend. The headend will convert and
`retransmit the converted videophone signals to the appropri-
`ate receiving STT. For example, compressed or encoded
`videophone signals may be converted at the headend by hard-
`ware or through high speed computational methods and
`routed externally to the cable network. The conversion rou-
`tines have the ability to convert various formats. For example,
`the conversions may take place from a data specification that
`was originally intended for either non-guaranteed quality of
`service or guaranteed quality of service (H.323 and H.322,
`respectively), to another specification, such as, for example,
`V.34 (modem), H.324, ISDN (H.320), through a copper wire
`telephone network or a wireless data specification.
`Videophone signals are originated at a given STT. The STT
`will encode or compress the videophone signals in accor-
`dance with the specification thereof. Typically, the audio, or
`preferred speech signal, and the video, or picture, signal are
`multiplexed into a given data stream. The specification of the
`stream adheres to the network with a guaranteed quality of
`service, or alternatively, a network with a non-guaranteed
`quality of service. The videophone signals, thus created, are
`then transmitted via the cable network to their destination,
`either directly, or via a headend.
`In addition to an STT, a user must be equipped with a
`videophone box or unit (VP). The VP may be separate from
`the STT, or may be integrated as a card within the STT. The
`VP receives videophone data intended for a given user from
`the receiving STT, and transmits the signals to a display
`device, such as, for example, a television set. The STT may
`actually perform the parsing of the signals and extraction of
`data therefrom. The VP is connected with the STT using any
`of the wide variety of interfaces, including but not limited to,
`an Ethernet port, Firewire, universal serial bus (USB), and
`wireless Ethernet, all ofwhich are well known to those skilled
`in the art. Depending on the network bandwidth and picture
`quality requirements, Firewire and USB may be particularly
`well suited for a high-speed serial digital data specification.
`Wireless Ethernet provides the ability for the STT to commu-
`nicate videophone data to various televisions that are not
`equipped with STTs within a given range. Alternatively, the
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`VP will be an add-on module or card that would fit inside an
`
`STT thereby providing videophone functionality that is trans-
`parent to the user. The interface would typically be PCMCIA
`or PCI.
`
`Having the VP as part of the STT provides significant
`operational and cost advantages. For example, the VP card
`would use the memory and processor capacity of the STT,
`thereby sharing resources, and proving efficiency and lower-
`ing costs. For example, in the stand-alone VP embodiment
`described earlier, the VP must derive its own NTSC signal and
`therefore must have the ability to capture the signal. On the
`other hand, the SIT must, by definition, include data capture
`capability. Therefore, in the case where the VP is integrated
`with the STT, the VP would not have to have display capabil-
`ity because it is shared with the STT. As an alternative to
`STTs, cable modems may be used to link the VP with a given
`network or display device. Moreover, an STT may be config-
`ured to evaluate, or act as, a cable modem for transmission
`and reception of videophone signals where the VP provides
`its own display capabilities.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide an efficient and cost effective videophone transport
`system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and
`provides high-quality visual video signals from proved video-
`phone functionality.
`It is another object of the present invention to utilize exist-
`ing infrastructure to provide videophone connectivity to
`users.
`
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved videophone transport system.
`It is still another object of the present invention to provide
`signal conversion capability to allow numerous videophone
`signaling specifications to exist on a given system or between
`different CATV systems.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`videophone system wherein a headend may communicate
`videophone signals originated on an STT thereof, to another
`cable remotely located CATV system via a high-speed trans-
`mission medium, wherein conversion between different
`videophone signaling specifications is provided to ensure
`functionality between the various remotely located CATV
`systems.
`These and other objects and their attendant advantages are
`provided by the videophone system described herein, includ-
`ing a cable television system headend; a plurality of sub-
`scriber terminals connected to the headend; a videophone unit
`connected to at least one ofthe subscriber terminals; a camera
`associated with each videophone unit, said camera being
`adapted to capture images for transmission by the videophone
`unit; a microphone associated with each videophone unit
`adapted to capture speech signals; and at least one display
`device associated with each videophone unit wherein the
`videophone is adapted to transmit and receive videophone
`signals over the cable television network.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be described in detail herein with refer-
`
`in which like reference
`ence to the following drawings,
`numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment ofthe
`present invention showing various videophone connections
`to a cable network;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the functional compo-
`nents of a videophone system required to originate video-
`phone signals;
`
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`US 8,458,756 B2
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`5
`FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating different
`interfaces between the videophone unit and set top box of a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) for use
`with the videophone of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of a preferred embodi-
`ment of the videophone network for the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing protocol stacks and
`transport between different videophone in a given CATV
`system;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing protocol stacks and
`transport for high-quality downstream transmission of video-
`phone signals according to the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram ofthe videophone unit according
`to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 9 shows various exemplary videophone data multi-
`plex structures used in the videophone system according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a general block diagram of a
`CATV system 100 having several uses 101, 102, 103, 104
`equipped with videophone capabilities is shown. The head-
`end 110 is connected to the users 101, 102, 103, 104 via a
`cable 120, which may include various media, such as, for
`example, fiber optic, copper, or hybrid-fiber-coax (HFC). The
`headend 110 may also be connected to another CATV net-
`work 100' via a high-speed transmission medium 38, such as,
`for example a satellite network, a high-speed telephone net-
`work, or the like. Various videophone configurations are
`shown in FIG. 1. In a standard videophone configuration,
`such as that of user 103, data is received by an STT 130 and
`communicated to aVP 140 co-located with the STT 130. The
`
`VP 140 processes the data and provides it either directly to a
`display device 150, such as, for example, a television set, or
`provides it to STT 130 for further processing and display by
`the display device 150. In an alternative configuration 101,
`the VP 140 may be connected to the cable 120 via a cable
`modem 160. The display device may be a personal computer
`150, television set 150, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the
`STT 130 or cable modem 160 may provide signals to one or
`more VPs 140 and their corresponding display devices. For
`example, in a home with multiple televisions 102, 104, or
`with a PC having video capability 101, a VP 140 may be
`provided with each display device. It is also possible for
`wireless communications between an STT 130 or a cable
`
`modem 160 and a remote VP 140 as shown in configuration
`102. Preferably, the wireless connection is accomplished
`using wireless Ethernet, or the like. Any number ofVPs 140
`may be connected to a given STT 130 or cable modem 160.
`Moreover, an STT 130 may be configured to act as a cable
`modem 160 for the purposes of achieving videophone func-
`tionality, and other services, such as, for example, Internet
`access. Whereas a cable modem provides services to a com-
`puter, a PC, and the like, an STT provides passive and inter-
`active services for a television set in concert with the same
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`services of a cable modem, but receivable through a television
`set, or to be routed from an STT to a home PC via a wireless
`or wired Ethernet connection.
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`Referring briefly to FIG. 2, the basic components required
`at an originating videophone to signal location are shown. It
`will be understood that the videophone unit and camera
`shown in FIG. 2 may be included in a single integrated and
`self-contained device, however, for ease of explanation, they
`will be described as separate components. A camera 190,
`such as that described in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No.
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`5,982,424, entitled “Digital Camera for Video Conferenc-
`ing,” to Simerly et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated
`by reference herein in its entirety, for capturing image data of
`the call originator is connected by known interface means to
`a videophone unit 140. The videophone unit 140 is integrated
`with an STT 130 as discussed herein. The camera 190, video-
`phone unit 140, and STT 130 combine to produce videophone
`signals for transport via the CATV network (not shown).
`Turning now to FIG. 3, various means of interfacing a VP
`140 to an STT 130 are shown. It will be understood that when
`
`referring to an STT, the description is equally well-suited to a
`cable modem, but STT is being used for convenience and ease
`of description. The STT 130 may be integrated with a VP 140
`by any number ofconventional serial interfaces. For example,
`as shown in FIG. 3, the STT 130 may be connected to the VP
`140 by conventional Ethernet 200, wireless Ethernet 210,
`Firewire 220, and/or USB 230. Firewire 220 and USB are
`particularly well-suited for high-speed asynchronous serial
`data transmissions. Wireless Ethernet is particularly advan-
`tageous in applications where multiple televisions 150 or
`display devices are to be connected to one STT 130. Addi-
`tionally, when retrofitting an existing STT 130 with aVP 140,
`a PCMCIA cardbus interface 240 may be preferable.
`When placing the receiving videophone calls, it is impor-
`tant to have a functional, flexible and easy to use user inter-
`face. Such interface is described in commonly assigned, U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,999,207, entitled “Method and Apparatus for
`Implementing a User Interface for a Videophone in a Cable
`Television Network,” to Rodriguez et al., the disclosure of
`which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The
`user interface described and shown in FIG. 4, is a graphical
`user interface (GUI) 250 that is implemented on a display
`device 150, which may be, for example, a television set,
`personal computer, or the like. The interface 250 maps vari-
`ous user screens including screens for received video 260,
`transmitted video 270, a data base listing of IP addresses 280,
`and the like, and the regular received video in the background
`290. The interface 250 is operable via a remote control that
`may be configured to operate the videophone. The GUI is
`described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,207 and will not be
`described further herein.
`
`Turning now to FIG. 5, a detailed block diagram of the
`videophone system according to a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention is shown. The headend 100 houses
`application servers 2 that may be the source of services as
`well as means for receiving services from service originators
`and distributors over satellite or terrestrial transport, via rout-
`ers 1 and/or receivers 5. High-speed data intended for cus-
`tomers may originate within a general category of local appli-
`cation server 2, with the headend or remotely connected to
`application server 33 through local or long distance, high-
`speed data connections 32, 37, respectively. The servers 2
`may be digital storage devices with videophone answering
`machine capabilities, or containing encoded movies, games,
`shopping services, libraries, data bases, and the like. Further-
`more, servers may function to provide data format conversion
`between different syntax of digital videophone streams, such
`as, for example, conversion between different videophone
`standards as discussed above. The server 33 could, for
`ex