IP multicast service without a return connection

• US 20020035730A1
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
• Original Assignee: Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus
• Inventors: Ollikainen, Ville, Sodergard, Caj
• Application Number:
  US09/929,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20020035730A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/93
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1836 with heterogeneous network architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0457 Connection protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13202 Network termination [NT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13242 Broadcast, diffusion, multicast, point-to-multipoint (1 : N)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13384 Inter-PBX traffic, PBX networks, e.g. corporate networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13399 Virtual channel/circuits

Abstract

The problem with transferring a multicast service to a television environment, or other environment without a return connection, is how the service provider receives the information about receivers willing to receive the service and how the multicast router can query the receiver sets as to whether they want to receive. The problem is solved by choosing one of the servers within the scope of influence of the querying multicast router to be an order server. The receiver sets, without return connections, notify the server of the services they want to receive, and likewise notify when they no longer want to receive the service. The notifications to the server can be made via a modem connection through a fixed network, for instance using a Web form. The next time the server makes the query about receivers willing to receive the service, the order server will reply on behalf of the receiver set. In this case, the multicast router routes the desired services to the transmission system of the television operator'"'"'s broadcasting network, which then adds the packets to the multiplexed transmission of the general broadcast. The receiving set will in turn receive the broadcast, recognize the service by its identifying data and separate the service packets from the multiplexed transmission.

Claims

1. A system for implementing multicast service over a unidirectional signal distribution system having a transmission system adapted to receive multicast packets and transmit said packets using the distribution system, operating in conjunction with an IP multicast router adapted to send multicast packets on demand, and in conjunction with an upstream network capable of transferring data from a subscriber facility, the system comprising:

an order server in communication with said multicast router, and in communication with said upstream network for receiving user input, said order server adapted to receive at least one user request for multicast reception;

said order server adapted to indicate to said multicast router to transmit multicast packets to said transmission system, responsive to at least one user request;

for transmission of said multicast packets by said unidirectional distribution system.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said order server is constructed to receive said user requests from at least one set top box located at the user premises and coupled to said upstream network.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said order server is adapted to receive said multicast packets and route them to said transmission system.

4. the system of claim 1 wherein said order server is adapted to indicate to the multicast server via an intermediate computer.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said order server further comprises a table adapted receive entries therein, said entries comprising at least one multicast service which at least one user desires to receive, and wherein said entry is removable from said table, and wherein said table is used to indicate to said multicast router to forward said at least one multicast service.

6. The system of claim 3 further comprising a query module, adapted to report which multicast services were requested by users.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said order server is further adapted to remove an entry from said table responsive to a user request transmitted via said upstream network.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said unidirectional distribution system comprises a digital television distribution system.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said order server is adapted to communicate with a transmission system that is connected to a different sub-networks.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said order server is adapted to communicate with said transmission system using a virtual private network.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said order server is connected to a first sub-network, and adapted to connect to a multicast router that is connected to a second sub network.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said transmission system is connected to a first sub network and the multicast router is connected to a second sub-network.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a virtual private network connecting said transmission system and multicast router.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said order server is integrated into said transmission system.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the functionality of said order server is divided between a plurality of servers.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said upstream network is selected from a group consisting of ISDN network, PSTN network, wired network and wireless network, or a combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of allowing a user to deliver termination order for said multicast service, and terminating the transmission of said multicast service when all orders therefore have been so terminated.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of routing said multicast packets to a television provider network via the network connected to said order server.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said unidirectional distribution network comprises a digital television network.

21. The method of claim 17 said upstream network is selected from a group consisting of an ISDN network, a PSTN network, a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of translating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses contained within said multicast packets, into Conditional Access (CA).

17. A method for multicast transmission via a unidirectional distribution network having a transmission system, and operating in conjunction with a multicast router adapted to send multicast packets of at least one multicast service on demand, the method further operating in conjunction with an upstream network adapted to transfer data from a subscriber facility, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an order server adapted to request transmission of said multicast packets from said multicast router;

allowing a user to deliver orders to said order server from a subscriber via said upstream network, said orders comprise at least a request for transmission of a multicast service;

receiving multicast packets comprising said multicast service, from said multicast router responsive to said user orders;

transmitting data corresponding to said multicast service via said unidirectional network.