(12) United States Patent
`Rakib et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll 111111111111111 111111111111111 1111111111 11111111
`
`US006889385Bl
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`May 3, 2005
`
`(54) HOME NETWORK FOR RECEIVING VIDEO(cid:173)
`ON-DEMAND AND OTHER REQUESTED
`PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Selim Shlomo Rakib, Cupertino, CA
`(US); Fabrice Michel Raymond
`Quinard, San Jose, CA (US); Peter
`Albert Monta, Palo Alto, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Terayon Communication Systems,
`INC, Santa Clara, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 636 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/602,265
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun.23,2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`( 63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/483,681, filed on
`Jan. 14, 2000.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ H04N 7/173
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 725/119; 725/82; 725/87;
`725/93; 725/78; 725/133; 725/141; 709/247
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 725/27, 87, 93,
`725/95, 96, 91, 82, 119, 118, 116, 114,
`103,48, 49, 7~ 111,110,109,131,139,
`151, 100, 133, 141; 709/247, 246
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,829,569 A
`4,894,789 A
`5,093,718 A
`5,130,983 A
`5,133,079 A
`5,195,092 A
`5,200,993 A
`5,247,347 A
`5,373,288 A
`5,408,465 A
`
`.......... 380/10
`5/1989 Seth-Smith et al.
`1/1990 Yee ............................ 364/521
`3/1992 Roarty et al. ................. 358/84
`7/1992 Heffner, III ................ 370/85.8
`7/1992 Ballantyne et al.
`.......... 455/4.1
`3/1993 Wilson et al.
`............. 370/94.2
`4/1993 Wheeler et al.
`.............. 379/96
`9/1993 Litteral et al. ................ 358/85
`12/1994 Blahut ................... 340/825.08
`4/1995 Gusella et al. ................ 370/17
`
`8/1996 Roarty et al. .................. 348/7
`5,550,578 A
`11/1996 Safadi ......................... 370/50
`5,572,517 A
`11/1996 Shuen ..................... 370/85.13
`5,572,528 A
`4/1998 Moura et al. ................. 348/12
`RE35,774 E
`10/1998 Moura et al. ............... 370/236
`5,828,655 A
`3/1999 Ohta .......................... 395/857
`5,878,277 A
`6,101,543 A * 8/2000 Alden et al. ................ 709/229
`6,216,171 Bl * 4/2001 Isono et al. ................. 709/250
`6,249,320 Bl * 6/2001 Schneidewend et al. .... 348/569
`6,317,885 Bl * 11/2001 Fries .......................... 725/109
`6,385,656 Bl * 5/2002 Appelman .................. 709/247
`6,396,531 Bl * 5/2002 Gerszberg et al. ....... 348/14.01
`6,477,179 Bl * 11/2002 Fujii et al. .................. 370/466
`6,577,642 Bl * 6/2003 Fijolek et al.
`.............. 370/465
`6,598,231 Bl * 7/2003 Basawapatna et al. ...... 725/120
`6,601,106 Bl * 7/2003 Moberg et al.
`............. 709/238
`6,633,547 Bl * 10/2003 Akatsu et al.
`.............. 370/255
`6,637,032 Bl * 10/2003 Feinleib ...................... 725/110
`6,678,740 Bl * 1/2004 Rakib et al. ................ 709/247
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-John Miller
`Assistant Examiner-Annan Q. Shang
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ronald Craig Fish; RC Fish
`Law Corp
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for providing video-on-demand service, broad(cid:173)
`band internet access and other broadband services over
`T-carrier systems including a pull multiplexer cherrypicker
`at the head end is disclosed. The pull multiplexer receives
`upstream requests and cull out MPEG or other compressed
`video packets, IP packets and other data packet types to
`satisfy the requests or to send pushed programming down(cid:173)
`stream. The downstream can be DSL or HFC. Each cus(cid:173)
`tomer has a cable modem, DSL modem or a gateway which
`interfaces multiple signal sources to a LAN to which settop
`decoders, digital phones, personal computers, digital FAX
`machines, video cameras, digital VCRs etc. can be attached.
`Each gateway can coupled the LAN to a DSL line or HFC
`through a cable modem or a satellite dish through a satellite
`transceiver. A PSTN and conventional TV antenna interface
`is also provided.
`
`24 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`N-NUPSTREAM
`MEOIW (CANBe
`SAMEt.EDll.M
`,SDCNINSffiEAM)
`
`\___.
`
`Comcast, Ex. 1105
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`IPPAO<ETS
`
`VIDEO
`STREAM . - - - - - - - - - ,
`#1
`ANY PULL
`VIDo..1·14 HEADEND
`STREAM
`"CHERRYPICKER"
`• MULTIPLEXER
`#2
`: C 15L--i----r----......
`42
`10
`
`,-.--~iELEPHONY
`PACKETS
`
`ANY
`DOWNSTREAM I--------..
`MODULATOR/
`XMTR #1
`
`46
`
`48
`
`MULTIPLE
`6_..XMHz
`CHANNELS
`
`rm--- n
`)
`
`mYUPSTREAM
`MEDIUM (CAN BE
`SAMEMEDIUM
`~ DOWNSTREAM)
`
`"'--
`
`UPSTREAM
`PROGRAM
`REQUESTS
`
`"--.
`
`44
`
`12
`
`ANY
`DOWNSTREAM1--------,,
`MODULATOR/
`XMTR #2
`
`50
`
`102
`•••{~~~I
`
`456~
`108,......... _ __,
`18
`PHONE
`r-=s-=ETT===:O~P:=-,
`---;::::=.'-..L..JL...,
`ter-~DECODER
`#1
`
`116
`SETTOP
`~~DECODER
`#2
`•
`:
`
`TV2
`134
`IRE~oTE112a.r'
`..... - -~ - 104
`
`PCOR
`MAC
`110
`118
`
`AfN
`OOWN(cid:173)
`STREAM
`MEDIUM
`
`J
`
`26
`
`22
`SETTOP
`~-....DECODER
`~r===:...__--1
`#1
`
`• . .
`
`LAN
`
`106
`
`HOME #2
`GATEWAY/ ....,.._--1
`CABLE
`MODEM
`
`30
`
`24
`
`130
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`IP PACKET STREAM
`
`15
`
`17
`TB.EPHO\IY PACKETS
`
`VIDEO STREAM 1
`
`: .
`
`14
`
`16
`
`208
`
`ANY HEADEND
`PULL MULTIPLEXER
`232
`
`PULL MUX
`CONTROL
`CIRCUITS
`
`00\NNSTREAM
`PROGRAM'SERVICE
`DATA STREAMS
`
`204
`
`HFC
`
`202
`
`206
`
`4
`UPSTREAM
`'-._ PROGRAM/SERVICE
`REQUESTS AND
`UPSTREAM DATA
`
`DISH
`T-1 LINE
`- - - - - - - - - - , L .-,._._......____._.....__
`
`200
`
`694
`
`PSTN
`LINE
`
`708 224
`
`PHONE
`
`228
`
`DIGITAL
`VCR
`• • •
`
`PERSONAL
`COMPUTER
`230
`
`FIG. 2
`
`216
`CUSTOMER
`2
`CABLE
`MODEM
`LAN 220
`
`• • •
`
`SETTOP
`DECODER
`
`222
`
`PHONE
`226
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`i-----------
`
`CENTRAL OFFICE
`
`-------
`
`..--... POTS SWITCH TEL 11\fTERFACE
`
`PROGRAM/SERVICE DAT A
`STREAM FOR CUSTOMER
`
`15
`IP PACKETS
`I
`I
`VIDEO
`STREM/11
`
`ANY HEADEND
`
`14-J-.-: ----•.-1 PULL MULTIPLEXER
`
`I •
`I
`I
`I
`
`PUU.MUX
`CONTROL
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`16
`
`240
`
`270 r-
`
`302
`
`LAN
`
`UPSTREAM
`PROGRAM/
`SERVICE
`REQUESTS
`
`- 7--------------------------------
`MO-
`
`~g
`
`34~2-~~-3-M~~~-~
`~--t~ DISH
`RCVR
`CABLE
`WODEM
`PSTN
`INfFC
`TERRESllAL
`lUNEA
`
`CATV
`HEADEND
`
`314
`
`HFC
`316
`
`336
`
`318
`
`319
`
`IPVIDEO
`
`338
`
`ROLITEAINIC
`
`326
`
`262
`
`(246
`
`254
`
`VIDEO
`PHONE
`258
`DIGITAL
`VCR
`
`260
`
`334
`
`FIG. 3
`
`644
`
`PHONE 7 329
`
`330 WIRELESS
`REMOTE OR
`KEYBOARD
`
`4
`
`

`

`~ '° ~
`
`~
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`i,-
`~
`(It
`~
`
`'"""'
`N
`0 ....,
`~ ....
`'JJ. =-~
`
`,i;;..
`
`Ul
`0
`0
`N
`~~
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`------
`
`AND PlDs/lP/OTHER
`
`DS
`
`26
`
`MESSAGE DATA
`
`"----DOWNSTREAM
`~ 83
`
`23
`
`• • •
`MODEM I+,
`i I
`
`.
`
`XMTR 3
`
`73
`
`79
`
`57
`
`RECODING
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`#3
`
`r---J--r~~~ 81J
`
`65
`
`IIIJ,,I
`
`1'
`
`63
`
`61
`
`71
`
`T '"69
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`RECODING
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`#2
`
`32
`
`53
`
`~
`
`SWITCH#2
`"CULLING"
`CHERRY PICKER
`
`16 49J t 35
`
`M~~G ( h
`
`122
`
`--1 75
`XMTR 1
`l---'~---1P1 MODEM
`~~~G
`
`I
`
`#1
`
`RECODING
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`__ ...___
`
`59
`
`28
`
`1--~--11~ CHERRY PICKER
`
`MPEG 14
`
`IN
`
`1
`:
`
`SWITCH #1
`"CULLING"
`
`• • •
`
`1
`
`SWITCH#3
`"CULLING"
`CHERRY PICKER
`
`19
`
`21
`
`13
`
`SPLITTERS
`PASSIVE
`
`20
`
`15/17
`
`IP/TEL IN
`
`MPEG
`
`IN
`
`124
`
`REQUESrS ------· C 10 ----------------------------------------~:Li~~l~~LOW
`SERVICE
`r \. 27 GIVING CHANNELS
`PROORAM' 1 GA TEW A y
`,
`
`TYPICAL HEADEND PULL MULTIPLEXER
`
`FIG. 4
`
`1
`
`MEMORY
`
`1 1
`
`.il p,. [> :rROGRAM IN.
`
`... l?.5
`_
`
`1 \.. 29
`
`... , RCVR/MODEM/ I ,
`
`UPSTREAM
`
`12
`
`PC MOTHERBOARD
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`PROCESS FOR CULLING OUT DATA AND GENERATING ONE OR
`MORE OUTPUT STREAMS FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY IN
`RECEPTION BY INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS
`344
`
`356
`
`RECEIVE UPSTREAM
`PROGRAM AND/OR
`SERVICE REQUESTS
`
`346
`
`348
`
`DETERMINE CUSTOMER
`FROM WHICH EACH
`PROGRAM AND/OR
`SERVICE REQUEST CAME
`
`350
`
`DETERMINE HOW MANY
`PROGRAM AND SERVICE
`REQUESTS CAME FROM
`THE SAME CUSTOMER
`PREMISES
`
`352
`
`LOOK UP THE NUMBER OF
`TUNERS EACH CUSTOMER
`HAS
`
`354
`
`DETERMINE WHICH LOGICAL
`CHANNELS AND SUBCHANNELS
`ARE AVAILABLE TO SEND
`REQUESTED PROGRAMS
`AND/OR SERVICES
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`COMPARE NUMBER OF
`REQUESTED PROGRAMS
`AND/OR SERVICES FROM
`EACH CUSTOMER
`PREMISES TO NUMBER
`OF TUNERS AT THAT
`PREMISES
`
`360
`
`SET
`VARIABLE N
`= 1
`
`362
`
`SET
`CUSTOMER
`NUMBER TO
`VALUE OF N
`
`DOES CUSTOMER
`365
`#N HAVE ONLY >----I-'--~
`ONE TUNER?
`TO FIG.
`SC
`
`YES
`
`366
`
`NUMBER OF
`REQUESTED
`PROGRAMS/
`SERVICES BY
`CUSTOMER #N
`GREATER
`THAN ONE?
`
`KEY
`
`5A SC SF
`5B 5D SG
`SE
`
`rN
`
`TO FIG. SB
`
`400
`
`TO FIG.
`SC
`
`379
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`FROM FIG. SA
`
`TO FIG. SA
`
`368
`
`FIND A CHANNEL WITH A NUMBER OF
`SUBCHANNELS OPEN THAT EQUALS THE
`NUMBER OF COMPONENTS OF THE
`PROGRAM AND/OR SERVICE ORDERED
`
`379
`
`370
`SEND PIDs, IP ADDRESSES AND/OR OTHER
`IDENTIFYING INFORMATION FOR THE
`COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM/SERVICE
`ORDERED TO THE CULLING SWITCH THAT IS
`GENERATING THE OUTPUT STREAM THAT HAS
`A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF OPEN
`SUBCHANNELS FOR THIS PROGRAM/SERVICE
`
`372
`
`SEND A DOWNSTREAM MESSAGE TO
`CUSTOMER #N GATEWAY OR CABLE MODEM
`TELLING IT WHICH CHANNEL AND
`SUBCHANNEL(S) ON WHICH IT WILL FIND
`THE REQUESTED PROGRAM/SERVICE
`
`374
`
`SEND A MESSAGE TO DOWNSTREAM
`TRANSMITTER TELLING IT WHICH PACKETS
`TO PUT ON WHICH SUBCHANNELS SO THAT
`CUSTOMER #N WILL FIND ALL COMPONENTS
`OF THE REQUESTED PROGRAM/SERVICE ON
`THE DESIGNATED SUBCHANNELS
`
`376
`
`INCREMENT
`N BYONE
`
`380
`
`VECTOR
`BACK TO
`STEP 346
`
`378
`LAST CUSTOMER ,_N_O _____ _.
`PROCESSED?
`
`YES
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`382
`
`IS NUMBER OF REQUESTED
`PROGRAM(S) AND/OR
`SERVICES GREATER THAN
`NUMBER OF TUNERS
`CUSTOMER HAS?
`
`428\
`YESi..
`TO FIG.
`SF
`
`N
`
`384
`
`FIND ONE OR MORE LOGICAL
`CHANNELS WITH SUFFICIENT
`NUMBER OF OPEN SUBCHANNELS
`TO CARRY ALL COMPONENTS OF
`REQUESTED PROGRAM(S) AND/OR
`SERVICES TO CUSTOMER #N
`
`386
`
`SEND PIDs, IP ADDRESSES AND/OR
`OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
`FOR THE COMPONENTS OF THE
`REQUESTED PROGRAM(S)/SERVICE(S)
`TO THE CULLING SWITCH(ES) THAT
`ARE GENERATING THE OUTPUT
`STREAM(S) THAT HAVE A SUFFICIENT
`NUMBER OF OPEN SUBCHANNELS FOR
`REQUESTED PROGRAM(S)/SERVICE(S)
`
`388
`
`SEND A DOWNSTREAM MESSAGE
`TO CUSTOMER #N GATEWAY OR
`MODEM TELLING IT WHICH CHANNE
`AND SUBCHANNEL(S) ON WHICH IT
`WILL FIND THE REQUESTED
`PROGRAMS(S)/SERVICE(S)
`
`NO, HAS
`MORE
`THAN ONE·
`TUNER
`
`365
`
`FROM
`FIG. 5A
`
`400
`FROM FIG. 5A
`
`402
`
`IS THERE A SINGLE LOGICAL
`CHANNEL WITH ENOUGH OPEN
`SUBCHANNELS TO CARRY ALL
`THE COMPONENTS OF ALL THE
`CUSTOMER #N REQUESTED
`PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO
`CUSTOMER #N?
`
`404
`
`418
`
`389
`
`TO FIG. 5D
`
`TO FIG. 50
`
`TO FIG. 5D
`
`FIG. 5C
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 8 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`FROM FIG. SC
`I
`YES
`
`404
`
`FROM
`FIG. 5C
`406
`418
`
`FROM
`FIG. SC
`
`389
`
`390
`
`SEND PIDs, IP ADDRESSES
`AND/OR OTHER IDENTIFYING
`INFORMATION FOR THE
`COMPONENTS OF THE
`REQUESTED
`PROGRAM(S)/SERVICE(S)
`TO THE CULLING SWITCH
`THAT IS GENERATING THE
`OUTPUT STREAM FOR THE
`LOGICAL CHANNEL THAT HAS
`A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF
`OPEN SUBCHANNELS FOR
`THE
`PROGRAM(S)/SERVICE(S)
`REQUESTED BY CUSTOMER
`#N
`
`408
`
`SEND A DOWNSTREAM
`MESSAGE TO CUSTOMER #N
`GATEWAY OR MODEM
`TELLING IT WHICH CHANNEL
`AND SUBCHANNEL(S) ON
`WHICH IT WILL FIND THE
`REQUESTED
`P ROGRAM(S)/SERVICE(S)
`
`NO
`
`SEND MESSAGE TO
`DOWNSTREAM TRANSMITTER(S)
`TELLING IT OR THEM WHICH
`PACKETS TO PUT ON WHICH
`SUBCHANNELS OF WHICH
`LOGICAL CHANNELS SO THAT
`CUSTOMER #N WILL FIND ALL
`COMPONENTS OF THE
`REQUESTED
`PROGRAM(S)/SERVICE(S)
`ON THE DESIGNATED LOGICAL
`CHANNELS AND SUBCHANNELS
`
`----------..... ~392
`....---i INCREMENT 14--,--.....__ __
`N BYONE
`444
`
`398
`
`I.AST
`CUST0\-1ER N
`PROCESSED?
`
`394
`
`396
`
`VECTOR
`BACK TO
`STEP 346
`
`410
`
`414
`
`TO FIG. SE
`
`TO FIG. SE
`
`FIG. 5D
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`FROM
`FIG.SD
`418
`
`FROM
`FIG. 50
`
`414
`
`412
`
`SEND MESSAGE TO
`DOWNSTREAM TRANSMITTER
`FOR LOGICAL CHANNEL FOUND
`IN STEP 402 TELLING IT WHICH
`PACKETS TO PUT ON WHICH
`SUBCHANNELS SO THAT
`CUSTOMER #N WILL FIND ALL
`COMPONENTS OF THE
`REQUESTED
`PROGRAM(S)ISERVICES(S) ON
`THE DESIGNATED LOGICAL
`CHANNEL AND SUBCHANNELS
`
`TO STEPS 392, 394, 396
`--AND398
`
`420
`
`424
`
`CAN ENOUGH SUBCHANNELS TO
`CARRY THE REQUESTED
`.
`PROGRAMS{S)/SERVICES{S) TO CUSTOMER
`N BE FREED ON ANY SINGLE: LOGICAL
`CHANNEL BY MOVING OR COMBINING
`DATA ON SOME SUBCHANNELS ALREADY
`IN USE BY OTHER CUSTOMERS TO OTHER
`SUBCHANNELS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY,
`IN USE ON OTHER LOGICAL CHANNELS?
`
`N
`
`$ENDA
`MESSAGE FOR
`DISPLAYTO
`CUSTOMER
`"INSUFFICIENT
`BANDWIDTI-i,
`TRYYOUR
`REQUEST AGAIN
`LATER"
`
`YES
`
`422
`
`MOVE DATA SELECTED TO NEW
`SUBCHANNELS BY SENDING NEW
`MESSAGES TO CULLING SWITCHES,
`TRANSMITTER AND TO GATEWAY
`OR MODEM AT CUSTOMER LOCATION
`AFFECTED BY MOVE
`
`FIG. 5E
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 10 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`430
`FROM
`FIG.SC
`:;:..A~R=E"""'T=H...,.,E=R=E='"'E=N'"""o""'u'"""G~H~---.
`SUBCHANNELS AVAILABLE
`ON A NUMBER OF LOGICAL
`CHANNELS EQUAL TO THE
`NUMBER OF TUNERS
`CUSTOMER #N HAS?
`
`YES
`
`432
`
`SEND PIDs, IP ADDRESSES OR
`OTHER PACKET IDENTIFYING
`INFORMATION TO CULLING
`SWITCHES OF THE LOGICAL
`CHANNELS SELECTED TO START
`PROCESS OF ADDING DATA FOR
`PROGRAM($) AND/OR SERVICE(S)
`REQUESTED BY CUSTOMER #N TO
`MULTIPLE OUTPUT CHANNELS
`
`434
`
`SEND MESSAGES TO MODEM OR
`GATEWAY OR CUSTOMER #N
`INFORMING IT UPON WHICH
`LOGICAL CHANNELS AND
`SUBCHANNELS IT WILL FIND THE
`DATA OF THE REQUESTED
`PROGRAM(S) AND/OR SERVICE(S)
`
`438
`
`CAN ENOUGH
`SUBCHANNELS ON A
`NUMBER OF LOGICAL
`CHANNELS EQUAL TO
`THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMER
`#NTUNERSBEFREEDBY
`MOVING OR COMBINING
`DATA OF PROGRAMS AND/OR
`SERVICES ALREADY IN US
`TO OTHER LOGICAL
`CHANNELS?
`
`YES
`
`440
`
`SEND PIDs, IP ADDRESSES OR
`OTHER PACKET IDENTIFYING
`INFORMATION TO CULLING
`SWITCHES OF THE LOGICAL
`CHANNELS SELECTED TO
`START PROCESS OF ADDING
`DATA FOR PROGRAM(S)
`AND/OR SERVICE(S)
`REQUESTED BY CUSTOMER
`#N AND THE MOVED, DATA TO
`MULTIPLE OUTPUT CHANNELS
`AND SEND MESSAGES TO
`CULLING SWITCHES THAT
`HAD BEEN CULLING OUT
`MOVED DATA TO CAUSE
`THEM TO STOP CULLING
`OUT DATA THAT IS NOW
`BEING SENT ON OTHER
`LOGICAL CHANNELS
`
`436
`
`TO FIG. 5G
`
`TO FIG. SG
`
`FIG. SF
`
`448
`
`TO
`FIG.
`5G
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 11 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`436
`
`FROM FIG. SF
`
`FROM
`FIG. 5F
`
`448
`
`442
`
`SEND MESSAGES TO MODEM OR GATEWAY OF
`CUSTOMER #N INFORMING IT UPON WHICH
`LOGICAL CHANNELS AND SUBCHANNELS IT WILL
`- - -TO STEP 392
`FIND THE DATA OF THE REQUESTED
`(444
`PROGRAM($) AND/OR SERVICE(S), AND SEND
`MESSAGES TO MODEMS OR GATEWAYS OF ALL
`I
`CUSTOMERS AFFECTED BY MOVED OR
`TO STEP 392
`' - - - - - - - - - t CONSOLIDATED DATA TELLING THEM WHERE TO
`NOW FIND THE DATA OF THE PROGRAM(S)
`AND/OR SERVICE(S} THEY WERE USING.
`
`450
`
`453
`
`SEND
`INSUFFICIENT
`BANDWIDTH
`MESSAGE TO
`CUSTOMER N
`FOR DISPLAY
`
`FIG. 5G
`
`12
`
`

`

`~ '° ~
`
`~
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`i,-
`~
`(It
`~
`
`'"""'
`N
`0 ....,
`'"""' N
`~ ....
`'JJ. =-~
`
`~
`0
`N
`~~
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`·----------------------------------------------------------------------------------J
`
`PROGRAM AND/OR SERVICE REQUESTS __ __,,
`CUSTOMER #2 UPSTREAM DATA AND
`
`'-~--' (240
`
`622 626
`
`4
`POTS
`I CUST. #1
`,-------
`FIG. 6
`
`304
`
`,___ ____________ __._,to
`
`<
`
`i #2 POTS -------
`
`;-c~-S~~---
`
`__ _
`
`608 \
`
`co POTS SWITCH
`
`-----------------
`602
`T1 LINE
`
`(638
`
`~:
`
`INTERNET OR
`
`I
`I
`I
`PROGRAM
`I
`DATAAND
`I
`I
`UPSTREAM
`I
`CUSTOv1ER #1 :
`l
`31 2 ./ ___.-
`I
`_,_.
`CUST. #1 1
`DSL LINE :
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`~
`
`272
`
`MODEM
`
`DSL
`
`#1
`
`I~ ~NE
`
`CUST #2
`
`310
`·
`
`MODEM
`
`lli
`#2
`DSL
`
`•
`
`~628
`
`I
`
`606\I
`
`.. ..
`
` 682 KC UST. #1
`•
`
`•
`
`I
`...... _....,.._ ---..
`""676 •
`
` (
`I.
`
`INFO
`CULLING
`
`"'672
`
`I
`
`305
`
`RECODER
`BANDWIDTH r---
`
`SWITCH 1
`CULLING
`
`r-,-I
`
`688
`
`684
`
`OPTIONAL
`
`66
`
`5
`
`1
`
`....-....__~
`
`PROGRAMMED CONTROL COMPUTER
`
`618 692
`'-----.--1
`RECODER
`BANDWIDTH
`OPTIONAL
`
`----.----
`SWITCH 2
`1-+J CULLING
`
`CULLI.NG INFO -i-----J
`CUST #2
`
`SERVER 2 t-648
`VIDEO
`
`t-'
`
`•
`
`650'\
`
`(690
`
`/ 686
`
`(668 •
`
`680-)
`
`660"
`
`694j
`
`614
`
`· I
`
`•
`
`I'-652 tl s58 ~ SPLITTER 2 I I ( 678
`.(664 t--636
`
`~
`
`SERVER 1 I L 656
`VIDEO
`
`654
`
`i
`
`~
`
`_c46
`
`I
`t--15 :-
`
`___ ... ____ J
`I
`I
`
`i---..642
`r-r---
`
`GATEWAY
`WAN
`
`640
`
`13
`
`

`

`'"""'
`N
`0 ....,
`'"""' ~
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`0
`N
`~~
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`r12a
`
`758
`
`-..
`- 10BASET
`
`USB
`
`246
`
`L--------
`l
`: MODEM
`:
`1 OUTPUT
`1 10 BASE-Ti
`800 "\_f Aost----:
`
`MODEM12
`CABLE
`EXTERNAL
`TO/FROM
`
`(ALT. EMB.)
`
`16
`
`770
`
`~820 1822 784 '-1 ....... & • ,,., ... ;::.;::;;::i tc1-r--_-_-_ ,_-_-_-_-, .-. -. -..-J ---.-. -. -
`
`., ......
`
`CUT LINE 830,
`
`-· ~
`
`--
`
`.
`
`143
`INTERFACE
`KEYOOARD
`141
`
`~ '° ~
`
`~
`_,.a-...
`rJ"J.
`e
`
`i,-
`~
`(It
`~
`
`100BASE-T CIRCUITS NEEDING TO ~
`
`INTERFACEWITHTHE HOSTCPU
`
`TOAL.1..0n-tERGATEWAY~
`
`.
`
`720
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`14
`
`

`

`~ '° ~
`
`~
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`i,-
`~
`(It
`~
`
`'"""'
`N
`0 ....,
`'"""'
`,i;;..
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`0
`N
`~~
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`156
`HOST BUS
`
`926
`
`924
`
`DECODER11ENCODER
`VIDEO WMPEG
`
`CIRCUIT 86
`TO ROUTING
`IP PACKETS
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`CUT LINE
`
`c920
`
`DEMOD
`VIDEO
`r-
`918
`
`734
`916
`
`FEED
`SATELLITE
`
`914
`1 (AN. VID.)
`TUNER
`
`•
`
`1
`
`~ 1912
`
`DEMOD
`QPSK
`
`i-------.i (DIRECT PC)
`
`TUNER
`
`902
`
`I CONDITIONAL
`
`L------1
`1 CODER 11 ACCESS
`: TRANS :
`,... __ c::.2_ as4
`
`DEMUX
`TRANSPORT
`
`DEMOD
`QAM
`
`,,_ .. ~, (DIRECTV)
`
`TUNER
`
`950
`
`948
`
`942
`
`940
`
`936
`
`934
`
`DECODERrrlENCODER
`VIDEO
`
`I _J MPEG
`
`DEMOD
`VIDEO
`
`(AN. VID.)
`TUNER
`
`FEED
`ANTENNA
`TERRESTIAL
`
`928
`
`44
`
`930
`
`15
`
`

`

`~ '° ~
`
`~
`-..a-...
`r.,J.
`e
`
`i,-
`~
`(It
`~
`
`'"""
`N
`0 ....,
`'""" Ul
`~ ....
`rF.J. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`0
`N
`~~
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`\_756
`!DISH
`loss
`
`SATELLITE ANALOG VIDEO MODULE~•
`
`::
`
`SATELLITE DIGITAL VOD. MODULE :~
`
`~
`
`994----..
`
`1HFC CATV ANALOG VIDEO MODULE
`''
`
`990--.._
`
`992----..
`
`: HFC
`
`HFC DIGITAL VIDEO MODULE: ~
`
`988
`
`LINES
`EXT
`
`~
`
`-
`
`TRUNK(S)
`co
`
`'-758
`
`-
`
`954)
`
`~ DOCSIS MODEM MODULE : ~
`
`986 ---
`
`IP & PBX TELEPHONY MODULE i-,-
`
`;
`972
`
`....
`
`~
`
`I lPSTN
`
`j
`
`~ FAX/DATA MODEM MODULE j.-
`: ADSL MODEM MODULE : ~
`
`980,
`
`978,
`
`....
`
`-
`
`-
`-
`
`::
`
`::
`
`-
`-
`
`~: DISPLAY I ::
`
`735
`
`729
`
`-I KYBD I
`:. . DISK
`I HARD
`;I RAM I
`
`/739
`'-743
`
`-1
`
`1728
`
`HOST MICROPROCESSOR
`
`GATEWAY
`
`964
`
`::
`
`..:
`~ 962
`
`720
`
`\_ NIC #2
`
`NIC #1
`
`2461
`
`I
`IL.AN
`
`LAN
`
`PROVIDER ~
`SERVICE
`TELEPHONY f l-)976 -
`
`.S978
`
`~
`
`....
`
`..
`
`LAYER •
`
`DRIVER
`PBX CARD t
`
`[5974 -.
`
`~
`
`-
`
`~970
`
`966L
`
`APPLICATIONS
`ENABLED & PBX
`TELEPHONY
`AND OTHER
`IP TELEPHONY
`
`i
`
`TAP I T
`
`•
`
`758_./
`
`IP VIDEO PROCESS ..
`ROUTING PROCESS ..
`
`'-968
`
`786,
`
`f+-
`'--958
`
`CONTROL PROCESS
`MANAGEMENT AND
`')~
`
`ANTENNA
`
`92ar ['._. TV
`
`I
`
`FIG. 8
`
`HOST BUS
`
`(757 ,.
`
`TERRESTIAL ANALOG NTSC/PAUSECAM h
`
`MODULE
`
`SATELLITE DIRECTV MODULE 1 ~
`
`SATELLITE DIRECT PC MODULE 1..:
`
`998
`
`996
`
`....
`1000---...
`
`-
`
`-
`
`•
`•
`•
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 16 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`VIDEO ON DEMAND PROCESS
`"PULL" TECHNOLOGY
`
`706
`
`USER'S VIDEO ON DEMAND
`SELECTION IS RECEIVED BY
`NETWORK ADAPTER
`
`(708
`
`VIDEO SELECTION AND IP ADDRESS
`OF NETWORK ADAPTER IS
`ENCAPSULATED INTO AN IP PACKET
`HAVING IP ADDRESS OF NETWORK
`ADAPTER AS THE SOURCE ADDRESS
`AND THE IP ADDRESS OF THE
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVER AS THE
`DESTINATION ADDRESS, AND THE IP
`PACKET IS ENCAPSULATED INTO
`AN ETHERNET PACKET ADDRESSED
`TO GATEWAY AND LAUNCHED ONTO
`LAN. THE IP PACKET IDENTIFIES THE
`DESIRED MOVIE OR OTHER VIDEO
`SELECTION. THE GATEWAY LISTENS
`TO MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL
`BROADCAST MESSAGES INDICATING
`WHICH VIDEO CHANNELS AND
`SUBCHANNELS ARE AVAILABLE, AND
`PICKS ONE TO CAMP ON AND
`COMMANDS THE APPROPRIATE
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND TUNERS TO TUNE
`TO THAT CHANNEL AND COMMANDS
`THE APPROPRIATE TRANSPORT
`DEMULTIPLEXER TO DEMULTIPLEX THE
`APPROPRIATE SUBCHANNEL. THE
`GATEWAY THEN ADDS THE IDENTITY
`OF THE DOWNSTREAM
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND CHANNEL AND
`SUBCHANNEL THE GATEWAY'S
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND TUNER AND VIDEO
`DEMULTIPLEXER WILL BE TUNED TO
`THE IP PACKET REQUESTING THE
`
`710
`
`NETWORK INTERFACE CARD OF
`GATEWAY RECEIVES ETHERNET
`PACKET AND PASSES IT UP
`THROUGHINTERMED~RY
`ETHERNET SOFTWARE PROTOCOL
`LAYERS TO IP PACKET
`SWITCHING/ROUTING PROCESS
`
`712
`
`ROUTING PROCESS LOOKS
`UP DESTINATION IP
`ADDRESS OF PACKET AND
`DETERMINE THAT IT IS
`ADDRESSED TO A
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND
`SERVER COUPLED TO
`HEADEND MODEM THAT IS
`DRIVING HFC OR THE
`HEADEND CIRCUITRY
`DRIVING THE UPLINK TO
`THE SATELLITE NETWORK
`OR THE ADSL CENTRAL
`OFFICE
`
`716
`
`THE IP PACKET GETS
`ROUTED TO THE DOCSIS
`MODEM OR THE ADSL
`MODEM. FROM THERE IT
`GETS TRANMITTED OVER
`THE HFC OR THE PSTN
`TO THE HEADEND, AND,
`FROM THE HEADEND,
`THE IP PACKET POSSIBLY
`GETS ROUTED OVER
`INTERNET AND/OR T1 OR
`DS1 LINES OF THE PSTN
`TO THE VIDEO SERVER
`TO WHICH IT IS
`ADDRESSED.
`
`720
`
`OPTIONAL: HEADEND
`VERIFIES USER IS AN
`AUTHORIZED SUBSCRIBER
`TO THE REQUESTED
`SERVICE PRIOR TO
`ROUTING TO THE VIDEO
`SERVER
`
`COMPOSITION
`KEY
`
`9A
`9B 9C
`90 9E
`
`FIG. 9A
`
`TO FIG. 9B
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 17 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`724
`
`FROM
`FIG.9A
`
`VIDEO SERVER READS IP PACKET OF
`REQUEST, OPENS APPROPRIATE FILE
`AND STARTS TRANSMITTING VIDEO DATA
`AS IP PACKETS ADDRESSED TO NETWORK 14-----------.J
`ADAPTER THAT REQUESTED VIDEO.
`VIDEO DATA IS COMPRESSED AND
`ENCRYPTED BEFORE TRANSMISSION.
`
`SATaLITEDELIVERY_--.•~
`OPTION
`TO
`FIG.
`i------ADSL DELIVERY OPTION---,
`9C
`HFC DELIVERY OPTION
`798
`
`736
`
`VOD DATA PUT ON CHANNEL AND
`SUBCHANNEL IDENTIFIED IN
`CAMPING DATA GIVEN IN ORIGINAL
`REQUEST. ALTERNATIVELY, VIDEO
`SERVER AND HEADEND PUT IT ON
`UNUSED SUBCHANNELS OF AN
`UNDERUTILIZED CHANNEL AND SEND
`DOWNSTREAM MANAGEMENT AND
`CONTROL MESSAGES INDICATING
`WHERE VOD DATA CAN BE FOUND.
`GATEWAY INSTRUCTS TUNER 702
`AND TRANSPORT DEMULTIPLEXER
`WHERE TO FIND VOD DATA. TUNER
`102 REJECTS ALL OTHER RF SIGNALS
`AND DEMODULATES THE SIGNAL TO
`REMOVE THE RF CARRIER COMPONENT
`AND PASSES VIDEO-ON-DEMAND
`DATA BEARING I AND Q BASEBAND
`SIGNALS TO AID MATRIX 730 WHERE
`I AND Q VALUES ARE SAMPLED FOR
`EACH CONSTELLATION POINT
`
`VIDEO SERVER FOR
`ADSL NETWORK SENDS
`VOD DATA TO AN ADSL
`CO WITHIN 3 MILES OF
`SUBSCRIBER VIA T1,
`DS1 OR OTHER HIGH
`SPEED LINE OR VIA
`ADSL DOWNSTREAM
`CONNECTION
`
`802
`
`VOD DATA BEARING IP
`PACKETS ARE FDMA
`MULTIPLEXED ONTO ADSL
`DOWNSTREAM CARRIER
`AND SENT FROM CO TO
`GATEWAY OF REQUESTER
`BY APPROPRIATE LOCAL
`LOOP AND ARE RECEIVED
`BY ADSL MODEM IN
`GATEWAY
`
`740
`
`806
`
`VIDEO, AUDIO AND ASSOCIATED
`DATA {IF ANY) POINTS OF MPEG II
`COMPRESSED VOD DATA ARE
`RECOVERED FROM
`CONSTELLATION POINTS
`
`TO
`FIG.SD
`
`FIG. 98
`
`IP PACKETS ARE SENT
`TO ROUTING CIRCUITRY
`FROM ADSL MODEM WHERE
`THE ETHERNET ADDRESS
`THAT CORRESPONDS TO
`IP DESTINATION ADDRESS
`IS LOOKED UP. IP PACKETS
`ARE ENCAPSULATED INTO
`ETHERNET PACKETS AND
`SENT TO APPROPRIATE
`INTERFACE CIRCUITRY OF
`LAN TO WHICH THE
`NETWORK ADAPTER WHICH
`ORDERED THE VOD
`PROGRAM IS COUPLED
`
`TO FIG. 9D
`
`18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 18 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`r TRANSPORT DEMUL TlPLEXEA "'
`RECENES DATA FROM HOST
`.---ti-~ TBl.lNG rnNHICH SUBCHANNELS
`-
`Tl-lEVODDATAISONAND
`DEMUL TlPLEXES VIDEO, AUDIO
`AND ANY ASSOCIATED DATA
`FFOM THE SUBCHANNELS
`SO IDENTIFIED
`
`~
`
`'--826
`,...--834
`1 •
`I" OPTIONAL CONDmQ\JAL "'
`ACCESS CIRCUIT DECRYPTS
`OROTHERMSE GATES VOD
`DATA TO SUBSCRIBER
`ONLY IF SHE IS A LEGfflMATE
`SUBSCRIBER
`\..
`
`)
`
`1836
`.,,.
`
`r80a
`r VIDEOSERVERFORSATB.LJTE"""
`NETWORK SENDS VOD DATA
`TO SATELLITE UPLINK
`---:~
`FFOM FACILJTY BY APPROPRIATE MEANS
`FIG.
`._
`SUCH AS T1 OR DS1 LINE
`9B
`
`.J
`
`(810
`
`~
`
`r
`
`UPLINK FACILITY MODULATES VOD IP
`PACKETS ONTO DIRECTPCORVOD
`UPLINK CARRIER ANDTRANSMrrs TO
`'" GEOSYNCHRONOUSSATELLITE ~
`1,
`,012
`r TRANSPONDER ON SATB.lJTE """
`RECOVERS VOD IP PACKETS AND
`MODULATES THEM ONTO
`DIRECTPC OR VOD DOWNLINK
`'" CARRIER AND TRANSMITS
`
`~
`
`"'
`
`DIGITAL VIDEO TUNER IN
`GATEWAYTUNESOLJT ALL
`OTHER CARRIERS, DOES
`CONVENTIONAL CARRIER AND
`CLOCK RECOVERY AND
`DEMODULATESQPSK
`MODULATED VOD SIGNAL AND
`OUTPUTS BA.SEBAND I Ai'\10 Q
`SIGNALS
`
`\..
`
`,i,
`
`/824
`I" MJ CONVERSION Ai'\ID QPSK ~
`CO'-lSTal.AllON POINTS
`-.
`DEMODULATEDBACKTOTHBR
`ORIGINAL VALUES
`
`\..
`
`.J
`
`FIG. 9C
`
`,
`VOD DATA IS ENCAPSULATED
`INTO HOST BUS PACKETS AND
`TRANSMITTED TO IP VIDEO
`CIRCUIT
`
`,,
`
`,.
`
`\.
`
`f 838
`.,,,
`
`VOD IP PACKETSARE
`REASSEMBLED ORVOD
`DATA lHATWAS NEVER IN IP
`PACKET FORMAT IS
`ENCAPSULATED INTO IP
`PACKETS WITH VIDEO AND
`AUDIO DATA ADDRESSEDTO
`NETWORK ADAPTER AND
`ASSOCIATEDATAADDRESSED
`TO WI-IATEVER PERIPHERAL
`NEED rT. IP PACKETS ARE
`THEN SENT TO ROUTING
`CIRCUIT
`
`\.
`
`/
`
`,,,.-- 840
`, •
`ROUTER LOOKS UP
`"
`ETHERNET ADDRESS BOUND
`TO IP ADDRESS AND
`ENCAPSULATES EACH IP
`VOD PACKET INTO AN
`ETHERNET PACKET ADDRESSED
`TO THE NETWORK ADAPTER
`THAT ORDERED THE VOD
`PROGRAM AND SENDS IT
`-. OLJTONTHEAPPROPRIATELAN .J
`TTO FIG. 9E
`
`19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 19 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`FROM FIG. 9B
`
`FROM FIG. 98
`
`744
`
`I
`
`TO FIG. 9E
`
`TO FIG. 9E
`
`VIDEO, AUDIO AND ASSOCIATED
`DATA POINTS(IF ANY) ARE
`DEMULTIPLEXED FROM
`SUBCHANNEL EACH SET OF
`POINTS IS ARRIVING ON
`
`792
`
`CONDITIONAL ACCESS GATING IS
`DONE IF NOT ALREADY DONE AT
`HEADEND AND VIDEO, AUDIO AND
`ASSOCIATED DATA ARE
`ENCAPSULATED IN HOST BUS
`PACKETS AND ADDRESSED TO
`IP VIDEO ENCAPSULATION
`PROCESS
`
`794
`
`IP VIDEO CIRCUITRY REASSEMBLES
`IP PACKET FROM HOST BUS PACKETS
`OR ENCAPSULATES VIDEO AND AUDIO
`DATA INTO IP PACKETS ADDRESSED TO
`NETWORK ADAPTER AND ENCAPSULATES
`ASSOCIATED DATA INTO IP PACKET
`ADDRESSED TO APPROPRIATE
`PERIPHERAL SUCH AS TELEPHONE OR
`PC. IP PACKETS THEN SENT TO
`ROUTING PROCESS CIRCUITRY
`
`796
`
`ROUTING PROCESS CIRCUITRY
`LOOKS UP ETHERNET ADDRESS THAT
`CORRESPONDS TO IP ADDRESS
`OF VOD DATA AND ENCAPSULATES
`IP PACKETS INTO ETHERNET
`PACKETS AND SENDS TO NIC FOR
`LAN COUPLED TO TV
`WHERE PROGRAM TO BE SHOWN
`
`FIG. 9D
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 20 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`FROM FIG. 9C
`
`FROM FIG. 90
`
`, ,
`
`rNETWORK INTERFACE CIRCUIT"
`OF NETWORK ADAPTER AT TV
`WHERE VOD PROGRAM IS TO
`BE DISPLA YEO CARRIES
`RECEIVES ALL ETHERNET
`--1-~ PACKETS AND KEEPS PACKETS _
`ADDRESSED TO NETWORK
`..,.~..,_ ___ ___.
`-
`FROM ADAPTER. ETHERNET HEADER
`FIG.
`IS STRIPPED OFF AND ERROR
`SD
`DETECTION AND CORRECTION
`ARE DONE AND RESULTING IP
`PACKET IS TRANSMITTED TO IP
`VIDEO CIRCUIT
`
`r
`
`"
`IP VIDEO CIRCUIT FILTERS
`OUT JUST IP PACKETS
`ADDRESSED TO NETWORK
`ADAPTER, STRIPS OFF IP
`HEADER AND,OPTIONALL Y,
`ROUTES MENU DATA
`PACKETS TO 2/3 D
`GRAPHICS CIRCUIT AND
`COMPRESSED VIDEO AND
`AUDIO PACKETS TO MPEG
`DECODER
`
`r
`
`"
`
`COMPRESSED BIT
`STREAM IS
`UNCOMPRESSED INTO
`VIDEO BIT STREAM
`REPRESENTING YUV
`FORMAT VIDEO SIGNAL
`AND AN AUDIO BIT
`STREAM, EACH OF WHICH
`'-IS OPTIONALLY ENHANCED...,
`
`+
`
`"
`
`'
`
`VIDEO ENCODER
`RECEIVES DIGITIZED
`YUV SIGNAL AND
`CONVERTS IT TO AN
`NTSC, PAL OR SECAM
`OR COMPOSITE FORMAT
`ANALOG VIDEO SIGNAL
`"" FOR DISPLA V BY A TV ...,
`I
`
`"
`r
`AUDIO PROCESSOR
`CONVERTS AUDIO
`DATA TO AUDIO
`SIGNAL FOR
`COUPLING INTO
`\,._AUDIO INPUT OF TV_...,
`
`r IF RF INPUT OF TV TO"
`BE USED, NTSC, PAL
`OR SECAM OUTPUT OF
`VIDEO ENCODER IS
`MODULATED ONTO
`AN UNUSED CHANNEL
`FREQUENCY SUCH
`AS CHANNEL 3
`
`,J
`
`'-
`
`FIG. 9E
`
`21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 21 of 21
`
`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`WIDEBAND INTERNET ACCESS PROCESS
`878
`
`890
`
`----------'---
`
`PERSONAL COMPUTER 22 OR
`NETWORK COMPUTER 24 OR
`26 LAUNCHES BROWSER OR
`OTHER APPLICATION THAT
`NEEDS INTERNET ACCESS (OR
`DOWNLOADS IT FROM LAN
`SERVER OR WAN SERVER ON
`WHICH IT IS RESIDENT) AND
`ENTERS A URL FOR A WEB
`PAGE TO ACCESS
`
`882
`
`URL PASSED TO TCP/IP
`PROTOCOL PROCESSES AND
`CONVERTED TO IP PACKET
`REQUESTING DOWNLOADING
`OF THAT WEB PAGE
`
`884
`
`IP PACKET IS
`ENCAPSULATED IN
`ETHERNET PACKET
`ADDRESSED TO GATEWAY
`
`886
`
`GATEWAY RECEIVES
`ETHERNET PACKET,
`STRIPS OFF ETHERNET
`HEADER, LOOKS UP
`DESTINATION ADDRESS
`OF IP PACKET IN
`ROUTING TABLES AND
`FORWARDS TO
`APPROPRIATE UPSTREAM
`TRANSMITTER
`
`888
`
`IP PACKET IS RECOVERED
`BY THE HEADEND MODEM
`OR ADSL MODEM AT THE
`CO OR THE SATELLITE
`UPLINK FACILITY AND
`PASSED TO A ROUTER
`COUPLED TO THE
`INTERNET
`
`ROUTER SENDS IP PACKET
`.------.i TO WEB SERVER IDENTIFIED
`IN URL
`
`892
`
`WEB SERVER OPENS UP WEB
`PAGE IDENTIFIED IN URL AND
`BEGINS SENDING DATA
`THEREOF BACK TO ROUTER
`AS A SERIES OF IP PACKETS
`
`894
`
`ROUTER ROUTES IP PACKETS
`TO DOWNSTREAM
`TRANSMITTER WHICH
`TRANSMITS IP PACKETS TO
`GATEWAY AT PREMISES OF
`PC OR NC THAT ORDERED
`WEB PAGE
`
`896
`
`IP PACKETS ARE RECOVERED
`AT GATEWAY AND SENT TO
`ROUTING CIRCUIT WHERE
`THEY ARE ROUTED AND
`ENCAPSULATED INTO
`ETHERNET PACKETS
`ADDRESSED TO THE PC OR
`NC THAT REQUESTED
`THE DATA, AND TRANSMITTED
`ON APPROPRIATE LAN
`
`908
`
`PC OR NC NIC RECEIVES THE
`ETHERNET PACKETS, DOES
`ERROR CORRECTION, PASSES
`THE IP PACKETS UP TO THE
`TCP/IP PROTOCOL LAYERS,
`IP PACKET HEADERS ARE
`STRIPPED OFF AND TCP
`PROTOCOL MAKES SURE ALL
`PACKETS ARRIVED. PAYLOAD
`DATA IS THEN SENT TO
`APPLICATION PROCESS THAT
`REQUESTED IT FOR DISPLAY.
`
`FIG. 10
`
`22
`
`

`

`US 6,889,385 Bl
`
`1
`HOME NETWORK FOR RECEIVING VIDEO(cid:173)
`ON-DEMAND AND OTHER REQUESTED
`PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending U.S. patent
`application entitled HOME NETWORK FOR ORDERING
`AND DELIVERY OF VIDEO ON DEMAND, TELE(cid:173)
`PHONE AND OTHER DIGITAL SERVICES, filed Jan. 1,
`2000, Ser. No. 09/483,681 which is hereby incorporated by
`reference.
`
`FIELD OF USE
`
`The invention finds utility in the head end offices of cable
`TV operators, ADSL system head end and potentially wire(cid:173)
`less head ends for delivery of video-on-demand program(cid:173)
`ming in digital format as well as other services such as
`digital. telephony or wideband internet access.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`2
`segments; U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,283 teaching a public
`switched telephone network for providing information from
`multimedia information servers to individual telephone sub(cid:173)
`scribers via a central office that interfaces to the multimedia
`5 server(s) and: receives subscriber requests and including a
`gateway for conveying routing data and a switch for routing
`the multimedia data from the server to the requesting
`subscriber over first, second and third signal channels of an
`ADSL link to the subscriber.
`Video-on-demand on cable TV systems to receive
`requests from cable subsribers for video programs or ser(cid:173)
`vices such as high speed internet access or access to Tl or
`other high speed digital telephony services have not yet
`completed development. Such systems receive upstream
`15 requests and deliver requested video programs with associ(cid:173)
`ated audio and other data, as well as bidirectional delivery
`of internet protocol packets from LAN or WAN sources
`coupled to the head end bidirectional delivery of telephony
`data packets to and from Tl or other high speed lines of the
`20 public service telephony network. A need has arisen for a
`video-on-demand service over cable TV systems as well as
`delivery of other services such as wideband internet and Tl
`telephony access over cable TV systems.
`
`Most cable TV systems in the prior art have been broad(cid:173)
`cast only where individual programs were modulated onto 6
`MHz bandwidth analog RF carriers that were frequency
`division multiplexed. As the internet became more popular:
`and telephone services became deregulated and other digital 25
`services became more popular, there has arisen the notion of
`delivery of digital data over cable TV systems in a portion
`of the bandwidth unused by the analog CATV programs.
`This gave rise to cable modems.
`Video-on-demand services have been known in hotel 30
`television systems for several years. Video-on-demand ser(cid:173)
`vices allow a user to select a program to view and have the
`video and audio data of that program transmitted to her
`television set. Examples of such systems include: U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,057,832 disclosing a video on demand system with a 35
`fast play and a regular play mode; U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,560
`disclosing an interactive video-on-demand system that sup(cid:173)
`ports functions normally only found on a VCR such as
`rewind, stop, fast forward etc.;