US5583864A — Level 1 gateway for video dial tone networks

Claim 1

Independent Claim 198 words

A communication network comprising: a plurality of user terminals receiving and processing broadband information and transmitting control signals in response to user inputs; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point two-way communication sessions for interactive multimedia communications with a selected one of the information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork providing dynamically allocated two-way communications between one of the user terminals and the backbone subnetwork, and receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork to provide two-way communications between the one user terminal and the backbone subnetwork and to control terminal authorizations for reception of the broadcast information signals; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller, the access subnetwork controller and the user terminals to control at least the two-way communications through the communication network, wherein: the backbone subnetwork comprises at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch; and the gateway communicates with the backbone subnetwork controller and the access subnetwork controller via the at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 198 words

A communication network comprising: a plurality of user terminals receiving and processing broadband information and transmitting control signals in response to user inputs; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point two-way communication sessions for interactive multimedia communications with a selected one of the information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork providing dynamically allocated two-way communications between one of the user terminals and the backbone subnetwork, and receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork to provide two-way communications between the one user terminal and the backbone subnetwork and to control terminal authorizations for reception of the broadcast information signals; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller, the access subnetwork controller and the user terminals to control at least the two-way communications through the communication network, wherein: the backbone subnetwork comprises at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch; and the gateway communicates with the backbone subnetwork controller and the access subnetwork controller via the at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 204 words

A communication network comprising: a plurality of user terminals receiving and processing broadband information and transmitting control signals in response to user inputs; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point two-way communication sessions for interactive multimedia communications with a selected one of the information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork providing dynamically allocated two-way communications between one of the user terminals and the backbone subnetwork, and receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork to provide two-way communications between the one user terminal and the backbone subnetwork and to control terminal authorizations for reception of the broadcast information signals; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller, the access subnetwork controller and the user terminals to control at least the two-way communications through the communication network, wherein: the backbone subnetwork comprises at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch; and each user terminal communicates with the gateway via an allocated upstream and downstream channels through the access subnetwork and via the at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 204 words

A communication network comprising: a plurality of user terminals receiving and processing broadband information and transmitting control signals in response to user inputs; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point two-way communication sessions for interactive multimedia communications with a selected one of the information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork providing dynamically allocated two-way communications between one of the user terminals and the backbone subnetwork, and receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork to provide two-way communications between the one user terminal and the backbone subnetwork and to control terminal authorizations for reception of the broadcast information signals; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller, the access subnetwork controller and the user terminals to control at least the two-way communications through the communication network, wherein: the backbone subnetwork comprises at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch; and each user terminal communicates with the gateway via an allocated upstream and downstream channels through the access subnetwork and via the at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 145 words

A method comprising: receiving a request for communication with one of a plurality of information provider systems from one of a plurality of user terminals; transmitting a request to an access subnetwork controller to allocate communication resources through a broadcast network to a dedicated communication with the one user terminal; receiving a reply message from the access subnetwork controller indicating the allocation of the communication resources and providing an identifier needed to utilize the allocated resources; transmitting a request to a backbone subnetwork controller, including the identifier, to establish a point-to-point communication session through a backbone subnetwork between the one information provider system and at least one port of the broadcast network providing access through the allocated resources; and establishing communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal through the point-to-point connection and via the allocated resources of the broadcast network.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 145 words

A method comprising: receiving a request for communication with one of a plurality of information provider systems from one of a plurality of user terminals; transmitting a request to an access subnetwork controller to allocate communication resources through a broadcast network to a dedicated communication with the one user terminal; receiving a reply message from the access subnetwork controller indicating the allocation of the communication resources and providing an identifier needed to utilize the allocated resources; transmitting a request to a backbone subnetwork controller, including the identifier, to establish a point-to-point communication session through a backbone subnetwork between the one information provider system and at least one port of the broadcast network providing access through the allocated resources; and establishing communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal through the point-to-point connection and via the allocated resources of the broadcast network.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 52 words

A method as in claim 3, wherein the backbone subnetwork comprises an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch, and the identifier specifies a port on the access subnetwork connected to the ATM switch and a Virtual Path Identifier/Virtual Channel Identifier (VPI/VCI) value allocated to resources connected to that port within the broadcast network.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 115 words

A method as in claim 3, wherein the step of receiving a request for communication comprises: receiving a request for service from a subscriber's terminal at a level 1 gateway control element; in response to the request for service, generating menu information listing a plurality of available information service providers; transmitting said menu information from the level 1 gateway through the point-to-point communication and the allocated resources of the broadcast network to the one user terminal; visually displaying the menu to the subscriber; and receiving a selection of a service provider listed on the menu from the one user terminal through the point-to-point communication and the allocated resources at the level 1 gateway control element.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as in claim 5, wherein: the level 1 gateway connects to the backbone subnetwork; and the step of receiving a request for communication comprises receiving the request for communications through the broadcast network and the backbone subnetwork.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 6, wherein the backbone subnetwork comprises an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) transport network.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as in claim 7, wherein the ATM transport network comprises at least one ATM switch.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 81 words

A method as in claim 3, further comprising: when the communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal are established, recording a start time; when communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal end, recording either end time or duration of the communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal; and billing for connect time of the communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 50 words

A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of billing comprises: calculating a network service charge for the communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal based on the connect time; and generating a bill to the one information provider for the network service charge.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 83 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the step of billing comprises: calculating a network charge for the communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal based on the connect time; calculating a service charge for a service provided by the one information provider through the communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal; and generating a combined bill to a subscriber associated with the user terminal for the network charge and the service charge.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the backbone subnetwork is an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, and the broadcast network provides RF broadcast distribution of information signals to a plurality of the user terminals.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 49 words

A method as in claim 10, wherein the communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal comprise broadband transmissions from the one information provider system and the one user terminal and narrowband signaling transmissions from the one user terminal and the one information provider system.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as in claim 13, wherein broadband transmissions include digitized and compressed audio/video information for presentation to a user through a television connected to the one user terminal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 194 words

In a network comprising: a plurality of user terminals receiving and processing broadband information; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point communication sessions; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller and the access subnetwork controller to control network services, a method of providing a pay-per-view service, comprising: receiving an order for purchase of a pay-per-view event at the gateway, said order identifying one of a plurality of user terminals; transmitting a request to the access subnetwork controller to activate reception of the pay-per-view event by the identified user terminal; in response to the request to activate, transmitting control information from the access subnetwork controller to an element of the access subnetwork associated with the identified user terminal to enable the identified user terminal to receive the pay-per-view event; and storing a record of the pay-per-view event and an identification of the user terminal in the gateway.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 194 words

In a network comprising: a plurality of user terminals receiving and processing broadband information; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point communication sessions; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller and the access subnetwork controller to control network services, a method of providing a pay-per-view service, comprising: receiving an order for purchase of a pay-per-view event at the gateway, said order identifying one of a plurality of user terminals; transmitting a request to the access subnetwork controller to activate reception of the pay-per-view event by the identified user terminal; in response to the request to activate, transmitting control information from the access subnetwork controller to an element of the access subnetwork associated with the identified user terminal to enable the identified user terminal to receive the pay-per-view event; and storing a record of the pay-per-view event and an identification of the user terminal in the gateway.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 15, further comprising transmitting the stored record to a billing system for processing.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of receiving an order comprises receiving the order from an information provider offering the pay-per-view event through the network.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 116 words

A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of receiving an order comprises: receiving a request for service from a subscriber's terminal at the gateway identifying the one user terminal; in response to the request for service, generating menu information listing a plurality of available pay-per-view events offered by one or more of the information service provider systems; transmitting said menu information from the gateway through the backbone subnetwork and the access subnetwork to the one user terminal; visually displaying the menu to the subscriber; and receiving a selection of at least one pay-per-view event listed on the menu from the one user terminal through the backbone subnetwork and the access subnetwork at the gateway.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method as in claim 15, wherein the control information comprises a decryption key.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 102 words

A communication network comprising: a plurality terminals receiving and processing broadband information; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point two-way communication sessions for interactive multimedia communications with a selected one of the information provider system; an access subnetwork receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling terminal authorizations for reception of the broadcast information signals; and a gateway interacting with the access subnetwork controller through the backbone subnetwork to activate reception of identified ones of the broadcast information signals at identified ones of the terminals.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 102 words

A communication network comprising: a plurality terminals receiving and processing broadband information; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point two-way communication sessions for interactive multimedia communications with a selected one of the information provider system; an access subnetwork receiving broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling terminal authorizations for reception of the broadcast information signals; and a gateway interacting with the access subnetwork controller through the backbone subnetwork to activate reception of identified ones of the broadcast information signals at identified ones of the terminals.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

A communication network as in claim 20, wherein: the backbone subnetwork comprises at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch; and the gateway communicates with the access subnetwork controller via the at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 54 words

A communication network as in claim 20, wherein: at least one information provider system comprises a server capable of transmitting digital, compressed broadband information through the communication network; and each user terminal is capable of processing digital, compressed broadband information received through the communication network to provide presentations of broadband information to the user.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 24 words

A communication network as in claim 20, further comprising an operations and support system supplying provisioning data to the gateway to control operations thereof.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 40 words

A communication network as in claim 23, wherein: the backbone subnetwork comprises at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch; and the operations and support system communicates with the gateway through the at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 231 words

In a network comprising a plurality user terminals receiving and processing broadband information; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point communication sessions; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork receiving distributing broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller and the access subnetwork controller, a method, comprising: receiving a request for communication at the gateway from one of a plurality of user terminals through a default upstream channel through the access subnetwork and the backbone subnetwork; transmitting a request to an access subnetwork controller to establish a downstream channel through the access subnetwork for dedicated communication to the one user terminal; receiving a reply message from the access subnetwork controller indicating an allocation of the downstream channel and providing an identifier needed to utilize the downstream channel; transmitting a request to a backbone subnetwork controller, including the identifier, to establish a point-to-point communication session between the a port of the gateway and at least one port of the access subnetwork providing access through the downstream channel; and transmitting information from the gateway to the one user terminal through the point-to-point connection through the backbone subnetwork and downstream channel through the access subnetwork.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 231 words

In a network comprising a plurality user terminals receiving and processing broadband information; a plurality of information provider systems; a backbone subnetwork providing point-to-point communication sessions; a backbone subnetwork controller controlling establishment of point-to-point communication sessions through the backbone subnetwork; an access subnetwork receiving distributing broadcast information signals and distributing the broadcast information signals to authorized ones of the user terminals; an access subnetwork controller controlling the access subnetwork; and a gateway interacting with the backbone subnetwork controller and the access subnetwork controller, a method, comprising: receiving a request for communication at the gateway from one of a plurality of user terminals through a default upstream channel through the access subnetwork and the backbone subnetwork; transmitting a request to an access subnetwork controller to establish a downstream channel through the access subnetwork for dedicated communication to the one user terminal; receiving a reply message from the access subnetwork controller indicating an allocation of the downstream channel and providing an identifier needed to utilize the downstream channel; transmitting a request to a backbone subnetwork controller, including the identifier, to establish a point-to-point communication session between the a port of the gateway and at least one port of the access subnetwork providing access through the downstream channel; and transmitting information from the gateway to the one user terminal through the point-to-point connection through the backbone subnetwork and downstream channel through the access subnetwork.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 46 words

A method as in claim 25, further comprising: in response to the information transmitted from the gateway, presenting a message prompting a user to input a selection; receiving a user input identifying a selected service at the gateway; and providing the selected service through the network.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 147 words

A method as in claim 26, wherein the user input identifies one of the information provider systems, and the step of providing the selected service comprises: transmitting a request to the access subnetwork controller to allocate communication resources through the broadcast network to a service communication with the one user terminal; receiving a reply message from the access subnetwork controller indicating the allocation of the communication resources and providing another identifier needed to utilize the allocated resources; transmitting a request to the backbone subnetwork controller, including said another identifier, to establish a point-to-point communication session between the one information provider system and at least one port of the access subnetwork providing access through the allocated resources; and establishing communications between the one information provider system and the one user terminal through the point-to-point connection through the backbone subnetwork and via the allocated resources of the access subnetwork.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 25, wherein the backbone subnetwork comprises an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) transport network.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as in claim 28, wherein the ATM transport network comprises at least one ATM switch.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method as in claim 25, wherein the access subnetwork comprises an RF broadcast network.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-12-10	2000-06-10	2000-12-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-12-10	2004-06-10	2004-12-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-12-10	2008-06-10	2008-12-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Level 1 gateway for video dial tone networks

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag