(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0172658A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 2, 2004
`Rakib et al.
`
`US 2004O17265.8A1
`
`(54) HOME NETWORK FOR ORDERING AND
`DELIVERY OF VIDEO ON DEMAND,
`TELEPHONE AND OTHER DIGITAL
`SERVICES
`
`(76) Inventors: Selim Shlomo Rakib, Cupertino, CA
`(US); Ronald Craig Fish, Morgan Hill,
`CA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`Ronald Craig Fish
`Ronald Craig Fish, A Law Corporation
`P.O. Box 2258
`Morgan Hill, CA 95.038 (US)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/731,310
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 8, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/483,681, filed on
`Jan. 14, 2000, now abandoned.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ............................. H04N 7/18: H04N 7/173
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................ 725/120; 725/119; 72.5/78;
`725/82; 72.5/111
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A gateway for coupling a local area network coupled to a
`plurality of peripheral devices at a customer premises to one
`or more external networks that deliver analog signals bear
`ing analog video Such as regularly Scheduled CATV, terres
`tial or satellite C-band broadcasts, or modulated with digital
`Video-on-demand data, or IP packets bearing IP telephony
`data or data from the internet. The preferred construction is
`modular So that Single expansion modules to interface only
`to DSL lines or only to a satellite dish or only to HFC, or
`Some combination thereof may be added as needed. The
`gateway may be a Standalone circuit also with hardwired
`interfaces to one or more external network types. The
`incoming analog Signals are either digitized, compressed
`and distributed on the local area network or the digital data
`thereon is recovered and packetized as an IP packet if not
`already So packetized and distributed via a router process to
`the device that requested the data via the local area network.
`
`Ge.
`
`PHONE LINE1 / OOBASE-T / COAX fAT5 WRELESS LAN
`
`a
`
`PHONE LINE #2 / 10 BASE-T / CAT5 f WIRELESS LAN
`
`62
`
`n
`
`pstateway.
`
`58
`
`60
`
`e
`
`30
`
`28
`
`DVD
`
`32
`
`e ept m m m um m (56
`
`SAFETE
`
`a
`
`as a
`
`16
`
`: TERRESTRIAL
`
`PC
`
`22
`
`vao OD
`
`R KEYBOARD RC JS
`
`IR KEYBOARD RC
`
`Comcast, Ex. 1121
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ETT GJOW EO|AHES = WSHEAHESHE|| [lOH
`-Z !=Hoºg
`AXOHdd!
`
`
`
`LHV HO[He]
`
`
`
`Z’5)|–| LENHE_LNI
`
`
`
`XHONA LEN
`
`HEIddOO
`
`CJELLSIAAL
`
`
`
`SSE OOV/
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 2, 2004 Sheet 2 0f 12
`
`US 2004/0172658 Al
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Z<._wmmuflm=>>\m._.<O\._.-w..<mor\mtm2...wZOIm
`
`
`
`Z<._mwm._mE>>\mH<\X<OO\H-mm<m00:F.m2:MZOIn.
`
`-'@\EEa@vm
`
`UIonH].om
`S11><>>E<oI.2melE
`
`_ EaEaDEmm
`
`
`
`Q.om359%m.omom<0m>mxm.IV.........._"£96._........._......_:ma_m.aD87:HEmmmmmmwfimmfififi.
`
`on.8‘2
`
`
`m.GEohm:
`«N8m«5;2302.
`
`3
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`/8 ||
`
`ad
`H s
`
`o
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`TVNO||LICINOO
`
`
`
`SSE OO\/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ENIT LOROCEE
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet S of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`
`
`
`
`TOHI NOO E LOWEH CIE HVH-INI / -|\!|
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`VDEO ON DEMAND PROCESS
`"PULL"TECHNOLOGY
`
`106
`
`USER'S VIDEO ON DEMAND
`SELECTION IS RECEIVED
`BY NETWORKADAPTER 30
`
`108
`
`VIDEOSELECTIONANDIPADDRESS
`OFNETWORKADAPTER3OSENCAPSULATED
`INTO ANPPACKETHAVING PADDRESS OF
`NETWORKADAPTER3OAS THE SOURCE
`ADDRESS AND THE PADDRESS OF THEVIDEO
`ON-DEMAND SERVER AS THE DESTINATION
`ADDRESS, AND THE PPACKETIS
`ENCAPSULATED INTO ANEHERNETPACKET
`ADDRESSEDOGATEWAY AND LAUNCHED
`ONTO LAN. THE PPACKETDENTIFIESTHE
`DESIRED MOVIE OR OTHERVIDEOSELECTION.
`THE GATEWAYLISTENSTOMANAGEMENT
`AND CONTROLBROADCASTMESSAGES
`INDICANGWHICHVIDEOCHANNELS AND
`SUBCHANNELSAREAVAILABLE, ANDPICKS
`ONE TO CAMPONAND COMMANDS THE
`APPROPRIATEVIDEO-ON-DEMANDTUNERS
`TOTUNE TOTHATCHANNELAND COMMANDS
`THEAPPROPRIATE TRANSPORT
`DEMULTIPLEXER TODEMULTIPLEXTHE
`APPROPRIATESUBCHANNEL THE GATEWAY
`THEN ADDSTHEIDENTITY OF THE
`DOWNSTREAMVIDEO-ON-DEMAND CHANNEL
`AND SUBCHANNELTHE GATEWAYS
`VIDEO-ON-DEMAND TUNER ANDVIDEO
`DEMULTIPLEXER WILL BETUNED
`SE PPACKETRECQUESTING THEVIDEO
`
`110
`NETWORKINTERFACECARDOFGATEWAY 14
`RECEIVESETHERNETPACKETAND PASSEST
`UPTHROUGHINTERMEDIARYEHERNET
`SOFTWARE PROTOCOLLAYERSTOPPACKET
`SWITCHINGMROUNG PROCESS
`
`112
`
`ROUTING PROCESSLOOKSUP
`DESTINATION PADDRESS OF
`PACKETAND DETERMINESTHAT
`TSADDRESSED TO AVIDEO
`ON-DEMAND SERVER COUPLED
`TO HEADEND MODEMTHATIS
`DRIVINGHFC10ORTHE HEADEND
`CIRCUITRYDRIVING THEUPLINK
`TO THE SATELITENETWORKOR
`THEADSL CENTRAL OFFFICE
`
`116
`
`THE PPACKETGETS ROUTED
`TO THE DOCSIS MODEMORTHE
`ADSL MODEM. FROM THERET
`GETSTRANSMITTED OVER THE
`HFCORTHEPSTNTO THE
`HEADEND, AND, FROM THE
`HEADEND, THEIPPACKET
`POSSIBLY GETS ROUTED OVER
`INTERNETANDORT1 ORDS1
`LINES OF THE PSINTO THEVIDEO
`SERVER TOWHICHTS
`ADDRESSED.
`
`120
`
`
`
`OPTIONAL: HEADEND VERIFIES
`USERS ANAUTHORIZED
`SUBSCRIBERTOTHE RECUESTED
`SERVICEPRORTO ROUTING TO
`THEVIDEOSERVER
`
`TO FIG. 6B
`
`COMPOSITION KEY
`
`6A
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004 Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`
`
`124
`
`FROM
`F.G. 6A
`
`VIDEO SERVER READS P PACKET OF
`REQUEST, OPENS APPROPRIATEFILE
`AND STARTS TRANSMITTINGVIDEO DATA
`AS P PACKETSADDRESSED TO NETWORK
`ADAPTER 30 THAT REQUESTED WIDEO.
`VIDEO DATA IS COMPRESSED AND
`ENCRYPTED BEFORE TRANSMISSION.
`
`
`
`
`
`SATE LTEDEVERY--
`OPTION
`TO
`ADSL DELIVERY OFPTION
`S.
`HFC DELyERY OPTION
`198
`
`
`
`
`
`VOD DATAPUT ON CHANNEL AND
`SUBCHANNEL IDENTIFIED IN
`CAMPNG 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 100
`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 BEARNG AND OBASEBAND
`SIGNALS TO AWD MATRIX 130 WHERE
`AND O VALUES ARE SAMPLED FOR
`EACH CONSTELLATION POINT
`
`140
`
`
`
`
`
`VIDEO, AUDIO AND ASSOCIATED
`DATA (IF ANY) POINTS OF MPEG II
`COMPRESSED VOD DATA ARE
`RECOVERED FROM
`CONSTELLATION POINTS
`
`TO
`F.G. 6D
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`VIDEO SERVER FOR
`ADSL NETWORKSENDS
`VOD DATA TO ANADSL
`CO WITHIN3 MILES OF
`SUBSCRIBER VIA T1,
`DS1 OR OTHER HIGH
`SPEEDLINE OR VIA
`ADSL DOWNSTREAM
`CONNECTION
`
`
`
`VOD DATA BEARING IP
`PACKETS ARE FOMA
`MULTIPLEXED ONTO ADSL
`DOWNSTREAM CARRIER
`AND SENT FROM CO TO
`GATEWAY OF REGUESTER
`BY APPROPRIATE LOCAL
`LOOP AND ARE FRECEIVED
`BY ADSL MODEMN
`GATEWAY
`
`
`
`PPACKETS ARE SENT
`TO ROUTING CIRCUITRY
`FROM ADSL MODEMWHERE
`THE ETHERNET ADDRESS
`THAT CORRESPONDS TO
`P DESTINATION ADDRESS
`S LOOKED UP. PPACKETS
`ARE ENCAPSULATED INTO
`ETHERNET PACKETS AND
`SENT TO APPROPRIATE
`INTERFACE CIRCUITRY OF
`LAN TO WHICH THE
`NETWORKADAPTER WHICH
`ORDERED THE VOD
`PROGRAMIS COUPLED
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004 Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`
`
`208
`
`
`
`DEOSERVER FORSATEUTE
`NETWORKSENDSVOD DATA
`TOSATE TEUPLINK
`FROMFACILITY BY APPROPRIATEMEANS
`FG.
`HAST ORDS1 LINE
`6B
`
`210
`UPUNKFACILITYMODULATESWODIP
`PACKETSONTODIRECTPCORVOD
`UPUNKCARRIER ANDTRANSMTS TO
`GEOSYNCHRONOUSSATELITE
`
`212
`TRANSPONDERONSATELLTE
`RECOVERSVODIPPACKETS AND
`MODULATES THEMONTO
`DIRECTPCORVODDOWNLINK
`CARRIER ANDTRANSMT
`
`214
`
`
`
`DIGITALVIDEOTUNERN
`GATEWAY TUNESOUT ALL
`OTHER CARRIERS, DOES
`CONMENTIONALCARRIER AND
`CLOCKRECOVERY AND
`DEMODULATESOPSK
`MODULATED VOD SIGNALAND
`OUTPUTSBASEBANDANDO
`SIGNALS
`
`224
`
`AMD CONVERSIONANDOPSK
`CONSTELLATION POINTS
`DEMODULATED BACKTOTHER
`ORIGINAL VALUES
`
`FIG. 6C
`
`TRANSPORTDEMULTIPLEXER
`RECEMESDATA FROMHOST
`TELING T WHICHSUBCHANNELS
`THEVODDATASONAND
`DEMULTIPLEXESVIDEO, AUDIO
`ANDANYASSOCATED DATA
`FROM THE SUBCHANNELS
`SOIDENTFED
`
`
`
`
`
`OPTIONAL CONDITIONAL
`ACCESSCIRCUITDECRYPTS
`OR OTHERWISE GATES VOD
`DATATO SUBSCRIBER
`ONLYIFSHE SALEGTMATE
`SUBSCRIBER
`
`VOD DATAS ENCAPSULATED
`INTOHOST BUS PACKETS AND
`TRANSMITTED TO PVIDEO
`CIRCUIT 158
`
`238
`
`VODIPPACKETSARE
`REASSEMBLED ORVOD
`DATATHAT WASNEVER INIP
`PACKETFORMATIS
`ENCAPSULATED INTOP
`PACKETSWITHVIDEO AND
`AUDIODATA ADDRESSED TO
`NETWORKADAPTER AND
`ASSOCATE DATAADDRESSED
`TOWHATEVER PERIPHERAL
`NEEDT. IPPACKETS ARE
`THENSENT TOROUTING
`CIRCUIT86
`
`ROUTER 86 LOOKSUP
`ETHERNET ADDRESSBOUND
`TO PADDRESS AND
`ENCAPSULATESEACHIP
`VOD PACKETINTO AN
`ETHERNETPACKET ADDRESSED
`TO THENETWORKADAPTER
`THAT ORDERED THEVOD
`PROGRAMAND SENDST
`OUT ON THEAPPROPRIATELAN
`TO FIG. 6E
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004 Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`FROM
`FIG. 6B
`
`TO FIG. 6E
`
`TO FIG. 6E
`
`FROM FIG. 6B
`
`44
`
`
`
`VIDEO, AUDIO AND ASSOCIATED
`DATA POINTS (IF ANY) ARE
`DEMULTIPLEXED FROM
`SUBCHANNEL EACH SET OF POINTS
`IS ARRIVING ON
`
`192
`
`CONDITIONAL ACCESS GATING IS DONE F
`NOTALREADY DONE AT HEADEND AND
`VIDEO, AUDIO AND ASSOCIATED DATA ARE
`ENCAPSULATED IN HOST BUS PACKETS AND
`ADDRESSED TO IP VIDEO ENCAPSULATION
`PROCESS
`
`194
`
`IP VIDEO CIRCUITRY REASSEMBLESIP
`PACKET FROM HOST BUS PACKETS OR
`ENCAPSULATES VIDEO AND AUDIO
`DATA INTO IP PACKETSADDRESSED TO
`NETWORKADAPTER AND ENCAPSULATES
`ASSOCATED DATA INTO IP PACKET
`ADDRESSED TO APPROPRIATE
`PERIPHERAL SUCH AS TELEPHONE OR
`PC. IP PACKETS THEN SENT TO
`ROUTING PROCESS CIRCUITRY
`
`196
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ROUTING PROCESS CIRCUITRY LOOKS UP
`ETHERNET ADDRESS THAT CORRESPONDS TO
`IP ADDRESS OF VOD DATA AND
`ENCAPSULATES P PACKETS INTO ETHERNET
`PACKETS AND SENDS TONIC FOR LAN
`COUPLED TO TV WHERE PROGRAM TO BE
`SHOWN
`
`FIG. 6D
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`FROM FIG. 6D
`
`FROM
`F.G. 6C
`
`244
`
`NETWORK iNTERFACE CIRCUIT OF
`NETWORKADAPTER 30 AT TV
`FROMWHEREVOD PROGRAMS TO BE
`FIG. 6DDISPLAYED CARRIES RECEIVES
`ALLETHERNET PACKETS AND
`KEEPS PACKETSADDRESSED TO
`NETWORKADAPTER. ETHERNET
`HEADER IS STRIPPED OFF AND
`ERRORDETECTION AND CORRECTION
`ARE DONE AND RESULTING IP PACKET
`ISTRANSMITTED TO IP VIDEO CIRCUIT
`
`248
`P VIDEO CIRCUIT FILTERSOUT JUST IP
`PACKETSADDRESSED TO NETWORK
`ADAPTER, STRIPS OFF PHEADER AND,
`OPTIONALLY, ROUTES MENUDATA
`PACKETS TO 2/3 D GRAPHICS CIRCUIT
`AND COMPRESSED WIDEO AND AUDIO
`PACKETS TO MPEG DECODER
`
`258
`
`
`
`COMPRESSED BIT STREAMS
`UNCOMPRESSED INTOVIDEO BIT
`STREAM REPRESENTING YUV
`FORMAT VIDEO SIGNAL AND AN
`AUDIO BIT STREAM, EACH OF
`WHICH IS OPTIONALLY ENHANCED
`
`
`
`262
`
`
`
`VIDEO ENCODER RECEIVES
`DIGITIZED YUV SIGNAL AND
`CONVERTS IT TO ANNTSC, PAL OR
`SECAMOR COMPOSITE FORMAT
`ANALOG VIDEO SGNAL FOR
`DISPLAY BY A TV
`
`F.G. 6E
`
`272
`
`AUDIO PROCESSOR
`CONVERTS AUDIO
`DATA TO AUDIO
`SIGNAL FOR
`COUPLING INTO
`AUDIO INPUT OF TV
`
`274
`
`
`
`
`
`F RF INPUT OF TV
`TO BE USED, NTSC,
`PAL OR SECAM
`OUTPUT OF VIDEO
`ENCODER IS
`MODULATED ONTO
`AN UNUSED CHANNEL
`FRECQUENCY SUCH
`AS CHANNEL 3
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 2, 2004 Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 2004/0172658A1
`
`WIDEBAND INTERNET ACCESS PROCESS
`
`278
`
`PERSONAL COMPUTER 22 OR
`NETWORK COMPUTER 24 OR
`26 LAUNCHES BROWSER OR
`OTHERAPPLICATION THAT
`NEEDS INTERNET ACCESS (OR
`DOWNLOADS IT FROMAN
`SERVER OR WAN SERVER ON
`WHICH IT IS RESIDENT) AND
`ENTERSA URL FOR AWEB
`PAGE TO ACCESS
`
`
`
`
`
`282
`
`URL PASSED TO TCP/IP
`PROTOCOL PROCESSES AND
`CONVERTED TO IP PACKET
`RECUESTING DOWNLOADING
`OF THAT WEBPAGE
`
`284
`
`IP PACKETS
`ENCAPSULATED IN
`ETHERNET PACKET
`ADDRESSED TO GATEWAY
`
`286
`
`GATEWAY RECEIVES
`ETHERNETPACKET, STRIPS
`OFF ETHERNET HEADER,
`LOOKS UP DESTINATION
`ADDRESS OF IP PACKET IN
`ROUTING TABLES AND
`FORWARDS TO
`APPROPRIATE UPSTREAM
`TRANSMITTER
`
`288
`IP PACKET IS RECOVERED BY
`THE HEADEND MODEMOR
`ADSL MODEMAT THE CO OR
`THE SATELLITE UPLINK
`FACILITY AND PASSED TO A
`ROUTER COUPLED TO THE
`INTERNET
`
`290
`
`ROUTER SENDS P PACKET
`TOWEBSERVER DENTIFED
`NURL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`292
`WEBSERVER OPENS UP WEB
`PAGE DENTIFIED IN URL AND
`BEGINS SENDING DATA THEREOF
`BACK TO ROUTER ASA SERIES OF
`IP PACKETS
`
`294
`
`ROUTER ROUTS P PACKETS TO
`DOWNSTREAM TRANSMITTER
`WHICH TRANSMITS P PACKETS
`TO GATEWAY AT PREMSES OF PC
`OR NC THAT ORDERED WEB PAGE
`
`296
`
`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 REOUESTED
`THE DATA, ANDTRANSMITTED
`ON APPROPRIATE LAN
`
`
`
`PC OR NC NC RECEIVES
`THE ETHERNET PACKETS, DOES
`ERROR CORRECTION, PASSES
`THE IP PACKETS UP TO THE TCP/IP
`PROTOCOLLAYERS, IP PACKET
`HEADERS ARE STRIPPED OFF AND
`TCP PROTOCOL MAKES SURE ALL
`PACKETS ARRIVED. PAYLOAD
`DATA IS THEN SENT TO
`APPLICATION PROCESS THAT
`REGUESTED IT FOR DISPLAY.
`
`FIG.7
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Sheet 12 0f 12
`
`US 2004/0172658 A1
`
`
`
`E<0mmh<n<owhz84<Z<iécbmmmwk
`
`53002
`
`
`
`
`
`.59;3><>>ml_.<0
`
`
`
`
`
`53002>ZOImm._m.rxmm<n:
`
`5300.2SEQOEm_m00n_
`
`
`
`mamwoomm80.5.
`
`
`
`mwmoOmn.OZFDOm
`
`
`
`mmmoOmn.Omn=>n:
`
`
`
`.m05m<zw>ZOIn_m_u_mF
`
`
`
`m20F<03nm<xmm
`
`moSm—mwEa
`
`
`
`mm><._mmoSOmm
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2004/0172658 A1
`
`Sep. 2, 2004
`
`HOME NETWORK FOR ORDERING AND
`DELIVERY OF VIDEO ON DEMAND, TELEPHONE
`AND OTHER DIGITAL SERVICES
`
`FIELD OF USE
`0001. The invention finds applicability in the distribution
`of digital Video on demand Services and other digital Ser
`vices throughout a consumer's location.
`0002 With the advent of cable modems, there is the
`ability to deliver digital data at high rates from content
`providers and the internet over cable TV systems. Many
`different services will be delivered digitally, one of which is
`video on demand and high definition TV digital data.
`Another digital Service which is useful at least for busineSS
`establishments is video conferencing. Other digital Services
`that will be becoming more and more useful in the future are
`high speed contact with the corporate LAN from home for
`telecommuters, high Speed internet access, distance learn
`ing, multimedia presentations to remote and/or dispersed
`audiences, etc.
`0003. The development of cable modems has enabled the
`delivery of high speed data over 10 MB/sec channels to
`customer premises over hybrid fiber coaxial cable TV dis
`tribution networks. But once the digital data reaches a
`customer premises, it still must be distributed and converted
`to a proper format for use by the user on a TV, a telephone,
`a Video phone, a computer, a network computer a FAX, a
`DVD recorder and other peripherals that will be developed
`in the future.
`0004 Concurrently, the telephone companies have devel
`oped digital Subscriber line technologies Such as ASymmetri
`cal Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), High Bit Rate Digital
`Subscriber Line technology, ISDN and ISDL, Rate Adaptive
`Digital Subscriber Line (RADSL), Symmetric Digital Sub
`scriber Line (SDSL), Very High Speed DSL (VDSL). These
`different technologies are described in Muller, Desktop
`Encyclopedia of Telecommunications, p. 93-95 (McGraw
`Hill 1998) ISBN 0-07-044457-9, and Clayton, Illustrated
`Telecom Dictionary, (McGraw Hill 1998) ISBN 0-07
`012063-3, and Horak, Communications Systems and Net
`works, Voice, Data and Broadband Technologies, (M&T
`Books, Foster City, Calif. 1997) ISBN 1-55851-485-6, the
`entirety of all these publications being hereby incorporated
`by reference. These digital Subscriber line technologies will
`Soon be capable of delivering digital voice, data and image
`information from various Servers as well as via high Speed
`internet access to the Subscriber premises over Standard
`telephone copper twisted pairs which are already in the
`ground and which everybody already has. Some of these
`technologies are fast enough to also deliver Video on
`demand, which typically requires about 2 megabits/sec data
`rate.
`0005 The also were introduced in 1994, digital broadcast
`satellite services (DBS) such as DirecTV (offered by Hughes
`Electronics and Thomson Multimedia). DBS services
`already can or Soon will provide Video on demand, internet
`connectivity and multimedia applications all with the high
`picture quality that digital technology provides. Video con
`ferencing via DirectPC service may also soon be provided.
`DirecTV delivers 175 channels of digital-quality program
`ming through an 18 inch dish antenna, a digital Set-top
`decoder box and a remote control. An access card allows
`
`billing information to be captured by the Set-top decoderbox
`and downloaded by the PSTN to a billing center for pay-per
`view programs ordered by a user. In addition, DirecPC
`technology allows high speed (400 KB/sec) internet access
`to PCs in the customer premises using the DBS dish and
`coaxial cable distribution network. An expansion card
`couples the PC's I/O bus to the coaxial cable distribution
`network of the DBS system. A modem is used by the PC to
`make a dial up connection to the internet Service provider
`(ISP) which then sends internet data to the PC via an uplink
`to the satellite and then down to the user's dish.
`0006. One problem that consumers of digital data deliv
`ery Services will Soon face is as follows. There is great
`uncertainty as to which Subscription data delivery Services
`will provide the most reliable, best performing and least
`expensive version of each type Service. Thus, there is a need
`for a way for a user to be able to couple to all the different
`Subscription Service data delivery options available to her
`and to distribute the data cheaply throughout her premises to
`all the different peripherals that need it like television sets,
`computers, telephones, video phones etc. To do this, it will
`be necessary to have Some Sort of circuit that can interface
`with all the different subscription service digital data deliv
`ery networks and at least one local area network running
`throughout the user's home and do any necessary protocol
`conversions and packet, cell or frame reassembly and encap
`Sulation into packets of the type used on the LAN.
`0007 ADSL routers such as the Remote 810 ADSL
`Router manufactured by 3Com currently exist. These routers
`can couple an Ethernet local area network to ADSL lines So
`that POTS voice conversations can occur simultaneously
`while searching the internet. The Remote 810 ADSL Router
`has an integrated 4-port 10Base-T hub to couple multiple
`PCs can share the same ADSL line. The router Supports up
`to 16 Simultaneous concurrent connections to multiple des
`tinations on the internet and can perform bridging functions.
`3Com also manufactures SDSL routers like the OfficeCon
`nect Remote 840 SDSL which can support applications that
`require high bandwidth in both directions Such as Video
`conferencing, remote training, Web hosting, e-commerce
`and other multimedia applications.
`0008. Other prior art, such as the 3Com PathBuilder S700
`WAN Switch, exists which concentrates, aggregates and
`Switches traffic over wide area networks. The Path Builder
`S700 WAN can converge voice, video and data applica
`tions including Frame Relay, ATM and SONET onto a
`common network. Up to 100 interfaces are Supported.
`Advanced traffic management features Such as traffic shap
`ing, priority queuing and multicasting, guarantee the right
`amount of bandwidth for each application and let you build
`and manage your WAN infrastructure. The Switch features a
`future-proof chassis with a modular construction to protect
`the initial investment and provide a migration path to
`accomodate future growth. The Switch has individual appli
`cation modules that provide native interfaces to a variety of
`campus networking technologies Such as LANS, muXes,
`routers, SNA applications, business video and PBXs. Each
`application module adapts communications traffic to the
`cell-based backplane and transports it across the PathBuilder
`S700 Switch cell bus to the appropriate trunk interface
`connections which offer a a comprehensive range of campus
`and wide area interface types. A T1/UNI module supports
`Inverse Multiplexing for ATM at speeds ranging from 1.5
`
`14
`
`

`

`US 2004/0172658 A1
`
`Sep. 2, 2004
`
`Mbps to 16 Mbps. An 18-slot chassis supports migration to
`T3/E3 or OC-3 services as bandwidth requirements increase.
`Distributed processing implemented by placing a RISC
`processor on each application module to provide Scaleable
`performance and wire Speed communications.
`0009. However, the 3COM Pathbuilder S700 WAN
`Switch lacks the capability to interface with ADSL lines,
`cable modems, Satellite dishes, wireleSS local loops, terres
`tial microwave linkS or other Subscription network Services
`that may become available in the future Such as digital data
`delivery over the power lines. The 3COM Pathbuilder S
`0010) 700 WAN Switch is a professional level switch
`which is not affordable for the average home network
`consumer. In short, it is believed that no gateways or routers
`currently exist which can couple a local area network Such
`as an Ethernet to each of the public Service telephone
`network, and which embody and combine the technology of
`ADSL modems, cable modems, and satellite DirectPC
`decoder boxes with IPvideo and IP telephony interfaces and
`Switching, routing and protocol conversion capability.
`0011. In the current climate of deregulation, fierce com
`petition for provision of telecommunication Services to
`customerS has arisen. Many alternative distribution net
`Works for digital data have either already been developed or
`under development. For example, in the near future, the
`digital data delivery Services just described that are deliv
`ered by the PSTN and CATV HFC distribution facilities will
`also be competing with wireless local loop delivery net
`works provided by Personal Communication Service (PCS)
`companies and data delivery Services under development by
`the electric power utilities.
`0012. The problem is that the consumer has no way to
`know which services will provide the most reliable, highest
`quality and least expensive delivery mechanism for tele
`phone and FAX Service, e-mail, distance learning, Video
`conferencing, high Speed world wide web access, Video on
`demand, remote LAN for telecommuters and multimedia
`Services. Further, over time, as each of the Subscription
`networks evolve and competitive pressures force lowering
`of prices, it is possible that what was once the best provider
`of, for example, video-on-demand (hereafter VOD), is no
`longer the best provider but Some other technology is. AS
`another example, ADSL does not have Sufficient upstream
`bandwidth if video telephony becomes a popular application
`whereas cable modems do. However, variable bit-rate
`MPEG2 and advances in video compression technology
`might Save ADSL if Video conferencing becomes big, and
`High Speed ADSL may be adequate to Service this appli
`cation. The problem this raises for consumerS is that they do
`not want to invest in technology for their home networks that
`only interfaces to ADSL or cable modems and then be faced
`with the prospect of an expensive replacement of their home
`network equipment in order to interface their LAN with a
`new Subscription Service digital data delivery network.
`0013 Another example involves Supplying Plain Old
`Telephone Service (POTS) to consumers via cable modem
`versus ADSL. Cutting of a CATV line in the street or losing
`an above ground cable during a windstorm will cut Service
`to the entire neighborhood. That means that everybody in the
`neighborhood who obtains their telephone service via cable
`modem, will be left without phone service until the break is
`repaired. In contrast, ADSL is a point-to-point technology
`
`which causes only one customer to lose phone Service if her
`line is broken. A well maintained HFC CATV network may
`obviate Some of these problems, but that is unclear because
`there has not been a great deal of field experience gained yet
`in POTS over HFC.
`0014 Thus, a consumer will not know whether to buy a
`gateway that can interface to an ADSL modem or an HDSL
`modem or a cable modem until the bugs are worked out and
`competitive factors come into play and make it clear which
`delivery network provides the best, lowest cost service for
`this application.
`0015. However, one thing is clear: the above identified
`Services will be in demand, and the consumer would like to
`be able to take advantage of the best delivery mechanism for
`each service and be able to Switch easily between delivery
`Services as competition forces adjustments in prices.
`0016 Since these services will arrive on many different
`media, possibly in many different packet formats or using
`many different protocols, a problem is created for the user in
`deciding what type of home network data distribution Sys
`tem to buy and install. For example, there may be different
`packet and cell sizes and different header Structures, differ
`ent type of compression and different protocols will be used.
`The user only wants to inexpensively and conveniently
`distribute data encoding each of these Services throughout
`her premises to the various peripherals like digital VCRS,
`DVD recorders/players, TVs, FAX machines, computers,
`telephones etc. that need the data without having to have a
`different gateway and local area network for each type of
`data delivery Service. Further, the user may want to use
`ADSL for Some services and cable modem for other services
`and wireleSS local loops or Satellite downlinks or Some other
`data delivery network option for other Services.
`0017. A related problem is in the area of videoconfer
`encing. Currently, videophone offered by AT&T have been
`a commercial failure because of the low picture quality of 2
`frames per Second deliverable over Standard twisted pairs.
`ISDN circuits can be used for videoconferencing and ISDN
`Videophones are available, and their details are hereby
`incorporated by reference. However, the higher cost of
`ISDN and its lesser availability to all homes has slowed the
`acceptance of ISDN videoconferencing. Switched 56/64
`KbpS circuits can also be used for Video conferencing by
`bonding or grouping into multiple channels. Switched 384
`KbpS connectivity can also be provided on the basis of
`fractional DS1 or through ISDN PRI channels in a channel
`group known as an HO. However, the cost and availability
`issues that are slowing ISDN teleconferencing also exist for
`Switched 56/64 and Switched 384. Kbps services as well.
`0018. Likewise, DS-1 facilities support full-motion,
`high-quality Videoconferencing over dedicated networks at
`rates of up to 2.048 Mbps for E1 and 1.544 Mbps for T1.
`However, DS-1 facilities are costly and not widely deployed
`and, although they are affordable for large organizations
`with DS-1 backbones, they are out of reach for the home
`network consumer.
`0019 Broadband networks such as ADSL, B-ISDN, HFC
`and cable modems, Satellite etc. are likely to be much more
`convenient and affordable ways of delivering videoconfer
`encing services via ATM operating at DS-1 or DS-3 or
`higher speeds.
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 2004/0172658 A1
`
`Sep. 2, 2004
`
`0020 Thus, a need has arisen for a system which inter
`face to many different Subscription Service data delivery
`networks and can distribute digital data throughout a cus
`tomer premises in an economical fashion to all the periph
`eral devices that need the data using a uniform protocol and
`addressing Scheme. Preferably, the System will have an
`economical and reliable local area network on the consumer
`premises Side and have the flexibility to couple to many
`different Subscription Service data delivery network media
`types and translate from whatever packet/cell/frame type
`and protocols are used by the data delivery network without
`Substantial expense to reconfigure or buy new equipment or
`Software each time a data delivery network option appears
`that is better, cheaper or more reliable than the consumer's
`current Service provider.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0021. A home network system within the genus of the
`invention would have a host bus and host computer pro
`grammed to do management and control functions and a
`routing function, one or more local area network interfaces
`and one or more external network interfaces.
`0022. An important Subgenus within the overal genus
`would be characterized by a modular, expandable gateway
`construction which interfaced any one of a number of
`external networks and Subscription Services to peripheral
`devices in a customer premises coupled to the gateway by
`one or more local area networks. Such a modular gateway
`Species would have as many shared components as possible
`including a network interface to drive a local area network
`that communicates digital data of various Services and a
`routing proceSS and possibly an IP packetization proceSS
`running on the host computer. However, expandability
`would be provided by interfacing the gateway to one or more
`external networks using modular plug-in expansion circuits
`or modules to implement the unique interfaces with various
`types of data delivery networks. Some of the expansion
`modules are receivers capable of receiving analog signals
`and digitizing and compressing them and Supplying the
`compressed data to Said host computer. Others are receivers
`for receiving and recovering video and other data in digital
`form which has been modulated onto a dowStream carrier
`for transmission to Said customer premises and Supplying
`the recovered digital data to Said host computer. Others of
`the expansion modules are transceivers capable of receiving
`analog Signals and digitizing and compressing them and
`Supplying the compressed data to Said host computer or
`receiving and recovering Video and other data in digital form
`which has been modulated onto a dowStream carrier for
`transmission to Said customer premises and Supplying the
`recovered digital data to Said host computer. These trans
`ceivers include an upstream transmitter for receiving digital
`data from Said host computer, preferably as an IP format
`packet, and transmitting it outbound on an external network
`to a headend modem, a DSL central office, a Server con
`nected to the internet at the location of an internet Service
`provider via a dialup connection or to a Satellite uplink
`facility via a dialup or direct connection.
`0023 For example, in a species using an Ethernet local
`area network, the gateway would have a shared Ethernet
`Network Interface Card (hereafter NIC) and an Ethernet
`protocol Stack. This hardware and Software drives one or
`more 10BaseT, Fast Ethernet, or 100BaseT local area net
`
`WorkS coupled to the gateway that function to distribute
`downstream data to various devices Such as telephones,
`computers, televisions, FAX machines etc. Scattered
`throughout the customer premises. The local area network(s)
`also collect upstream data from the various peripherals
`Spread throughout the consumer premises and transfer this
`data to the gateway. Other shared functions would include
`the power Supply, bus Structure and the host processor and
`routing process, an IP packetization process, possibly
`MPEG compression and decompression, possibly DES or
`other encryption and decryption processes, MAC layer and/
`or IP address resolution, and, possibly, IP telephony and/or
`PBX processes to control IP telephony and/or PBX expan
`sion modules. Some data delivery networks use MPEG
`compression and others do not and Some Services use
`encryption and others do not. Thus, depending upon the
`external network and Subscription or other Service involved,
`the expansion module that interfaces the gateway to the
`external network may include whatever compression/de
`compression, address resolution and encryption/decryption
`functions necessary to Successfully communicate with those
`data delivery networkS.
`0024 Generally, the plug-in external network interface
`modules that interface to each external network will include
`all those circuits and Software processes Such as protocol
`Stack peculiar to communication with that particular external
`network and a particular Subscription Service. These circuits
`can include any necessary line coding and decoding,
`demodulation, detection, demultiplexing, encoding, com
`pression, access control and other circuitry Such as decryp
`tion and re-encryption circuitry necessary for receiving data
`from or transmitting data to the particular external network
`and Subscription Service the interface is designed to work
`with.
`0025. One of the advantages of the modular structure is,
`for example, if a consumer is getting their digital data
`delivery services by ADSL