System and methods for automatically selecting, mapping and designating components for digital cable service distribution systems
First Claim
1. A rule-based system for selecting components and services for a service delivery system comprising:
- at least one computer processor associated with;
(a) a first data-store of service providers, each service provider being logically linked to a set of services, each service being logically linked to a transmission channel identifier, (b) a second data-store of service delivery system configuration and channel map information, and (c) a third data-store for holding a dynamic listing of selected components chosen from a list of components in response to user input;
a user interface operatively associated with said processor for enabling dialogue between a user and the rule-based system, said dialogue comprising input means for selection of service providers and offered services, and presentation means for presenting selected services and service delivery system components; and
a service identification mapping capability to provide mapping between a service identifier, a service delivery system channel identifier, and a transmission channel identifier;
wherein said rule-based system quantifies service delivery system component requirements in connection with the selected services, and said processor applies rules to evaluate input parameters and selects service delivery system components based thereon.
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Abstract
A system and methods are provided for selecting head-end equipment and services for digital cable service distribution systems. Enhancing CATV service capabilities to include digital services can be expensive, especially since design and configuration of head-end equipment requires a great deal of engineering expertise. The invention improves efficiency by providing an automated rule-based system and method to help ease that task. The invention also functions to present the listing of required components in a Bill of Material (BOM) format that could be implemented with customer specific pricing structures to facilitate purchase requisition and order fulfillment. Another function of the invention is to facilitate mapping between an end-user display channel, a terrestrial broadcast frequency, and a satellite communications frequency. The relationship between services, service providers, and the necessary component configurations are presented in an easily recognizable format, referred to as a “Channel Map.” These features are provided by a user-interface that permits channel assignment and configuration tasks to be performed more easily. Although the invention is presented in the context of a networked solution, the rule-based system could just as well be implemented on a single computer system.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A rule-based system for selecting components and services for a service delivery system comprising:
at least one computer processor associated with;
(a) a first data-store of service providers, each service provider being logically linked to a set of services, each service being logically linked to a transmission channel identifier, (b) a second data-store of service delivery system configuration and channel map information, and (c) a third data-store for holding a dynamic listing of selected components chosen from a list of components in response to user input;
a user interface operatively associated with said processor for enabling dialogue between a user and the rule-based system, said dialogue comprising input means for selection of service providers and offered services, and presentation means for presenting selected services and service delivery system components; and
a service identification mapping capability to provide mapping between a service identifier, a service delivery system channel identifier, and a transmission channel identifier;
wherein said rule-based system quantifies service delivery system component requirements in connection with the selected services, and said processor applies rules to evaluate input parameters and selects service delivery system components based thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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3. The rule-based system of claim I wherein insertion and changes to at least one of said services, service providers, and service delivery system components are possible.
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11. A rule-based method for selecting components and services for a service delivery system, where system initialization comprises the steps of:
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populating a first data-store with (i) service providers, (ii) sets of services, and (iii) a transmission channel identifier for each service in said data-store;
logically linking transmission channel identifiers with services; and
further logically linking each set of services with the corresponding service provider. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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12. A rule-based method for selecting components and services for a service delivery system, where a user and rule-based system dialogue comprises the steps of:
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initiating a user interface, wherein a rule representation and evaluation process is enabled, and said user interface subsequently provides information exchange between the user and the rule-based system; and
enabling the user to select from among system components, service provider and corresponding service information, wherein the rule representation and evaluation process evaluates and validates said user selections and determines any additional components required to administer said services.
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19. A machine readable media containing program code for a rule-based system to at least partially automate the selection of components and services for a service delivery system, wherein:
said program code includes instructions for at least one computer processor associated with;
(a) a first data-store of service providers, each service provider being logically linked to a set of services, each service being logically linked to a transmission channel identifier, (b) a second data-store of service delivery system configuration and channel map information, and (c) a third data-store for holding a dynamic listing of selected components chosen from a list of components in response to user input;
said program code implements a user interface operatively associated with said processor for (i) enabling dialogue between a user and the rule-based system, said dialogue including selection of service providers and offered services, and (ii) presenting selected services and service delivery system components;
said program code provides a service identification mapping capability to provide mapping between a service identifier, a service delivery system channel identifier, and a transmission channel identifier;
said rule-based system quantifies service delivery system component requirements in connection with the selected services; and
said processor applies rules to evaluate input parameters and selects service delivery system components based thereon.
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20. A machine readable media containing program code for implementing a rule-based method enabling a user to select components and services for a service delivery system, said program code:
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(i) initiating a user interface, wherein a rule representation and evaluation process is enabled, and said user interface subsequently provides information exchange between the user and the rule-based method; and
(ii) enabling the user to select from among system components, service provider and corresponding service information, wherein the rule representation and evaluation process evaluates and validates said user selections and determines any additional components required to administer said services.
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Specification