DOCSIS network interface device and methods and systems for using the same

• US 7,239,698 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2003
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Phillips, Bruce A., Brodigan, Donald L., Casey, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swerdlow; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/715,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20040168199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 379/413.02, 379/413.03, 725/105, 725/106, 725/109, 725/110, 725/118, 725/126, 725/127, 725/131
• US Class Current: 379/413.03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/005 with transmission via computer network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1026 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1036 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/005 Interface circuits for subscriber lines current supply H04M19/00 and subgroups; supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements H04M3/22 and subgroups; in key telephone systems H04M9/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4886 : for displaying a ticker, e.g. scrolling banner for news, stock exchange, weather data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 : directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 : Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 : for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 : the cable being constituted by a pair of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 : between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A network interface device located at a customer'"'"'s premises includes an external interface that receives a plurality of telecommunication services via a coaxial connection from a telecommunication service provider. The services are received using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications. The network interface device also includes at least two distinct internal interfaces that distribute the plurality of telecommunication services to at least two distinct internal transport media. The network interface device also includes a processor the is programmed to receive combined signals comprising the telecommunication services from the external interface, process the combined signals into separate signals representative of distinct telecommunication services, and map each of the separate signals to separate ones of the at least two distinct internal interfaces for distribution at the customer'"'"'s premises via the internal transport media.

Claims

1. A network interface device located at a customer'"'"'s premises, comprising:

a first external interface that receives a plurality of telecommunication services via a coaxial connection from a first telecommunication service provider, wherein the services are received using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications;

a second external interface that receives an additional telecommunication service from a second telecommunication service provider;

at least two distinct internal interfaces that distribute the plurality of telecommunication services and the additional telecommunication service to at least two distinct internal transport media; and

a processor programmed to;

receive a first set of configuration instructions from a first control point of the first telecommunication service provider, the first control point remote from the customer premises;

receive combined signals comprising the telecommunication services from the first external interface;

process the combined signals into separate signals representative of distinct telecommunication services;

receive a second set of configuration instructions from a second control point of the second telecommunication service provider, the second control point remote from the customer premises;

receive an additional signal comprising the additional telecommunication service from the second external interface;

combine the additional signal and at least one of the separate signals to create a first combined signal; and

map the first combined signal and one or more of the remaining separate signals to separate ones of the at least two distinct internal interfaces for distribution at the customer'"'"'s premises via the internal transport media, thereby providing only those telecommunication services as allowed according to the first and second sets of configuration instructions.

2. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the first external interface is further configured to direct signals relating to the telecommunication services to the telecommunication service provider via the coaxial connection using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.

3. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two distinct internal interfaces is configured to receive signals relating to one of the telecommunication services from one of the internal transport media.

4. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

receive separate signals from the at least two distinct internal transport media;

process the separate signals into a second combined signal; and

direct the second combined signal to the external interface for distribution to the telecommunication service provider via the coaxial connection using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.

5. The network interface device of claim 1, further comprising a signal integrator in communication with the at least two distinct internal interfaces, wherein the signal integrator is operable to integrate signals from the at least two distinct internal transport media into a combined information set.

6. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the internal transport media comprises a coaxial cable.

7. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the internal transport media comprises a twisted pair cable.

8. The network interface device of claim 7, wherein the twisted pair cable comprises existing telephone wiring at the customer premises.

9. The network interface device of claim 7, wherein the twisted pair cable comprises an Ethernet cable.

10. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the telecommunication services comprise one or more selections from the group consisting of video, data, and voice.

11. The network interface device of claim 10, wherein different telecommunication services are transported in different frequency ranges.

12. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the internal interfaces comprise a selection from the group consisting of IEEE 1394, RG6, RG59, wireless interface, 802.11, LMDS, Ethernet, twisted pair, category 3, category 4, category 5, category 6, category 7, and coaxial.

13. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein signals are transported on the internal transport media using a protocol selected from the group consisting of HPNA, HPNA+, and Home Plug.

14. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of telecommunication services originate from a plurality of telecommunication service providers; and

the additional telecommunication service originates from a different telecommunication provider.

15. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the second external interface receives the additional telecommunication service via a selection from the group consisting of a satellite receiver, an other wireless receiver, a fiber optic receiver, and a twisted copper pair receiver.

16. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein the additional signal comprises an analog signal and the at least one of the separate signals comprises a digital signal.

17. The network interface device of claim 1, wherein:

the additional signal comprises a digital signal;

the at least one of the separate signals comprises a digital signal; and

the combined signal comprises an analog signal.

18. A system for providing telecommunication services to a customer'"'"'s premises, comprising:

a first external transport medium comprising a coaxial distribution system that;

uses Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications to deliver a plurality of telecommunication services from a first telecommunication service provider to the customer'"'"'s premises;

a second external transport medium comprising a fiber optic distribution system that delivers an additional telecommunication service from a second telecommunication service provider to the customer'"'"'s premises; and

a network interface device at the customer'"'"'s premises, wherein the network interface device comprises;

a first external interface that receives the plurality of telecommunication service via the first external transport medium and receives a first set of configuration instructions from a first control point of the first telecommunication service provider, the first control point remote from the customer premises;

a second external interface that receives the additional telecommunication service via the second external transport medium and receives a second set of configuration instructions from a second control point of the second telecommunication service provider, the second control point remote from the customer premises;

at least two distinct internal interfaces that distribute the plurality of telecommunication services to at least two distinct internal transport media; and

a processor programmed to;

receive combined signals comprising the telecommunication services from the first external interface;

process the combined signals into separate signals representative of distinct telecommunication services;

receive an additional signal comprising the additional telecommunication service from the second external interface;

combine the additional signal and at least one of the separate signals to create a first combined signal; and

map the combined signal and one or more of the remaining separate signals to separate ones of the at least two distinct internal interfaces for distribution at the customer'"'"'s premises via the internal transport media, thereby providing only those telecommunication services as allowed according to the first and second sets of configuration instructions, and preventing access to services not allowed according to the first and second sets of configuration instructions.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first external interface is further configured to direct signals relating to the telecommunication services to the telecommunication service provider via the coaxial connection using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the at least two distinct internal interfaces is configured to receive signals relating to one of the telecommunication services from one of the internal transport media.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

receive separate signals from the at least two distinct internal transport media;

process the separate signals into a second combined signal; and

direct the second combined signal to the external interface for distribution to the telecommunication service provider via the coaxial connection using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.

22. The system of claim 18, further comprising a signal integrator in communication with the at least two distinct internal interfaces, wherein the signal integrator is operable to integrate signals from the at least two distinct internal transport media into a combined information set.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the internal transport media comprises a coaxial cable.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the internal transport media comprises a twisted pair cable.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the twisted pair cable comprises existing telephone wiring at the customer premises.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the twisted pair cable comprises an Ethernet cable.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the telecommunication services comprise one or more selections from the group consisting of video, data, and voice.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein different telecommunication services are transported in different frequency ranges.

29. The system of claim 18, wherein the internal interfaces comprise a selection from the group consisting of IEEE 1394, RG6, RG59, wireless interface, 802.11, LMDS, Ethernet, twisted pair, category 3, category 4, category 5, category 6, category 7, and coaxial.

30. The system of claim 18, wherein signals are transported on the internal transport media using a protocol selected from the group consisting of HPNA, HPNA+, and Home Plug.

31. The system of claim 18, wherein:

the plurality of telecommunication services originate from a plurality of telecommunication service providers; and

the additional signal and the at least one of the separate signals originate from the same telecommunication service provider of the plurality.

32. A method of delivering a plurality of telecommunication services to a customer'"'"'s premises, comprising:

receiving a first set of configuration instructions from a first control point of a first telecommunication service provider via a first external interface, the first control point remote from the customer premises;

receiving combined signals comprising the telecommunication services from the telecommunication service provider via the first external interface to a coaxial connection, wherein the services are received using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications;

receiving a second set of configuration instructions from a second control point of a second telecommunication service provider via a second external interface, the second control point remote from the customer premises;

receiving an additional signal comprising an additional telecommunication service from the second telecommunication service provider via a second external interface to a wireless receiver;

processing the combined signals into separate signals representative of distinct telecommunication services;

combining the additional signal and at least one of the separate signals to create a first combined signal; and

mapping the first combined signal and each of the remaining separate signals to separate ones of at least two distinct internal interfaces to at least two distinct internal transport media for distribution at the customer'"'"'s premises via the internal transport media, thereby providing only those telecommunication services as allowed according to the first and second sets of configuration instructions.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first external interface is further configured to direct signals relating to the telecommunication services to the telecommunication service provider via the coaxial connection using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the at least two distinct internal interfaces is configured to receive signals relating to one of the telecommunication services from one of the internal transport media.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

receiving separate signals from the at least two distinct internal transport media;

processing the separate signals into a second combined signal; and

directing the second combined signal to the external interface for distribution to the telecommunication service provider via the coaxial connection using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising integrating signals from the at least two distinct internal transport media into a combined information set.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the internal transport media comprises a coaxial cable.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the internal transport media comprises a twisted pair cable.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the twisted pair cable comprises existing telephone wiring at the customer premises.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the twisted pair cable comprises an Ethernet cable.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the telecommunication services comprise one or more selections from the group consisting of video, data, and voice.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein different telecommunication services are transported in different frequency ranges.

43. The method of claim 32, wherein the internal interfaces comprise a selection from the group consisting of IEEE 1394, RG6, RG59, wireless interface, 802.11, LMDS, Ethernet, twisted pair, category 3, category 4, category 5, category 6, category 7, and coaxial.

44. The method of claim 32, wherein signals are transported on the internal transport media using a protocol selected from the group consisting of HPNA, HPNA+, and Home Plug.