User-preference-based DSL system

• US 20060280235A1
• Filed: 01/28/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Assia Spe LLC
• Original Assignee: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Incorporated
• Inventors: Ginis, Georgios, Cioffi, John M., Rhee, Wonjong, Silverman, Peter J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,972,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/142 using statistical or mathematical methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/18 Delegation of network management function, e.g. customer network management [CNM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/304 and using xDSL modems xDSL line qualification H04M3/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface

Abstract

Methods, apparatus and computer program products allow a user of DSL or the like to implement user preferences to the extent feasible in light of operational limits and conditions. In some embodiments, an operational profile is imposed on the user. User preference data is evaluated to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences can be implemented in light of the operational profile. One or more controllers can assist in collecting user preference data, evaluating the user preference data, operational data and other data and information, and implementing user preferences as feasible. Evaluation of the user preference data and operational profile and/or data can include considering the compatibility of the user'"'"'s preferences and the operational profile and/or data. Controllers assisting users can include a local controller at the user'"'"'s location, one or more upstream-end local controllers, one or more remote location controllers, and/or one or more other downstream-end device controllers at locations other than the user'"'"'s location. Data and information can be shared among the various controllers, either using the DSL system itself or using a proprietary or other alternative data system.

Claims

1. A method of controlling operation of a DSL system by a party other than an operator of the DSL system, the method comprising:

obtaining a model of an operational space for the DSL system;

collecting user preference data;

analyzing the collected user preference data to determine a user operational parameter vector value that;

permits operation of the DSL system within the operational space model; and

implements one or more user preferences reflected in the collected user preference data; and

implementing the user operational parameter vector.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the operational space model comprises at least one of the following:

collecting operational space data from a database;

collecting operational space data from the DSL system;

or

determining operational relationships between at least two performance metrics.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein collecting user preference data comprises at least one of the following:

conducting a user survey;

sending an email questionnaire;

obtaining user feedback via user calls;

using a web interface;

or

obtaining direct user feedback.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein collecting user preference data comprises:

obtaining an HMM;

collecting operational data from the DSL system;

using the collected operational data to determine an HMM internal state; and

using the HMM internal state to derive the user preference data.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein collecting user preference data comprises:

determining a set of clusters corresponding to distinct user preferences, wherein the set of clusters comprises a first cluster;

collecting operational data from the DSL system;

assigning the user to the first cluster based on the collected operational data; and

generating the user preference data based on the assignment of the user to the first cluster.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein collecting user preference data comprises querying a database to obtain the user preference data.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing the collected user preference data comprises:

determining the user operational parameter vector to be configured;

identifying a set of allowed vector values of the user operational parameter vector, wherein each vector value in the set of allowed vector value complies with the operational space model;

limiting the set of allowed vector values of the user operational parameter vector to comply with the collected user preference data; and

determining an optimization vector value of the user operational parameter vector from within the limited set of allowed vector values that achieves a target performance level.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising retraining the DSL system prior to implementing the user operational parameter vector.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing user preference data comprises:

collecting operational data of the DSL system;

determining the feasibility of implementing one or more preferences reflected in the collected user preference data in light of the collected operational data of the DSL system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein collecting operational data of the DSL system comprises at least one of the following:

applying a weighting factor to the collected operational data;

performing a sufficiency check on the collected operational data;

performing a timeliness check on the collected operational data;

applying a weighting factor to the collected user preference data;

performing a sufficiency check on the collected user preference data;

performing a timeliness check on the collected user preference data;

applying a weighting factor to the operational space model;

performing a sufficiency check on the operational space model;

or

performing a timeliness check on the operational space model.

11. A computer program product comprising:

a machine readable medium; and

program instructions contained in the machine readable medium, the program instructions specifying a method of controlling operation of a DSL system by a party other than an operator of the DSL system, the method comprising;

obtaining a model of an operational space for the DSL system;

collecting user preference data;

analyzing the collected user preference data to determine a user operational parameter vector value that;

permits operation of the DSL system within the operational space model; and

implements one or more user preferences reflected in the collected user preference data; and

implementing the user operational parameter vector.

12. A DSL system controller comprising:

a data collection unit configured to collect;

operational space model data;

operational data from a DSL system; and

user preference data;

an analysis unit coupled to the collection unit, wherein the analysis unit is configured to;

analyze the collected operational space model data, the operational data and user preference data; and

determine the feasibility of implementing one or more preferences reflected in the collected user preference data in light of the an operational space model of the DSL system; and

a control signal generator coupled to the analysis unit, wherein the control signal generator is configured to send control signals to the DSL system, further wherein the control signals comprise signals controlling operation of the DSL system.

13. The controller of claim 12 where the controller is one of the following:

a controller coupled to a downstream-end device;

a controller coupled to an upstream-end device;

a controller coupled to both a downstream-end device and an upstream-end device;

a remote controller;

a local controller.

14. The controller of claim 12 wherein collecting user preference data comprises:

constructing an HMM;

collecting operational data from the DSL system;

using the collected operational data to determine the internal state of the HMM;

using the internal state of the HMM to derive the user preference data.

15. The controller of claim 12 wherein the collection unit is configured to:

determine a set of clusters corresponding to distinct user preferences, wherein the set of clusters comprises a first cluster;

collect operational data from the DSL system;

assign the user to the first cluster based on the collected operational data; and

generate the user preference data based on the assignment of the user to the first cluster.

16. The controller of claim 12 wherein collecting user preference data comprises:

collecting data stored in the user'"'"'s home network;

extracting from the collected data user preference data.

17. The controller of claim 12 wherein the data collection unit is coupled to at least one of the following:

an operator;

a service provider;

a user communication device;

or

a different controller.

18. The controller of claim 12 wherein the analysis unit is configured to:

determine an operational parameter vector to be configured;

identify a set of allowed values of the operational parameter vector that complies with operator rules;

limit the identified set of allowed values of the operational parameter vector to comply with user preference data; and

determine an optimization value of the operational parameter vector from within the restricted set of allowed values that achieves high performance metrics.

19. The controller of claim 12 further wherein the control signal generator is configured to send a retrain signal to the DSL system.

20. The controller of claim 12 wherein the data collection unit configured to collect operational data from a DSL system is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

apply a weighting factor to the collected operational data;

perform a sufficiency check on the collected operational data;

perform a timeliness check on the collected operational data;

apply a weighting factor to the collected user preference data;

perform a sufficiency check on the collected user preference data;

perform a timeliness check on the collected user preference data;

apply a weighting factor to the operational space model data;

perform a sufficiency check on the operational space model data;

or

perform a timeliness check on the operational space model data.

21-45. -45. (canceled)