Distributively routed VDSL and high-speed information packets

• US 8,005,077 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2000
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hohnstein, Donald L., Dougherty, Angus O., Wells, Guy M., Cook, Charles I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mills; Donald L
• Application Number:
  US09/605,696
• Time in Patent Office: 4,073 Days
• Field of Search: 370/225, 370/230, 370/231, 370/235, 370/352, 370/353, 370/355, 370/389, 370/392, 370/395.1, 370/397, 370/400, 370/401, 370/409, 370/412, 370/428, 370/270, 370/279, 370/293, 370/315, 370/492, 370/370, 370/356, 370/438, 370/445, 370/479, 370/489, 370/497, 370/331, 370/328, 370/338, 455/428, 455/434, 455/435, 455/436, 455/445, 348/91, 348/93, 348/95, 348/96, 348/87, 725/62, 725 63- 64, 725/65, 725/66, 725/67, 725/68, 725/69, 725/70, 725/71, 725/72, 725/73, 725/74, 725/81, 725/82, 725/86, 725/87, 725/92, 725/95, 725/98, 725/101, 725/108, 725/104, 725/105, 725/106, 725/109, 725/114, 725/118
• US Class Current: 370/356
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/06 Means for the lighting or illuminating of antennas, e.g. for purpose of warning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2861 Point-to-multipoint connection from the data network to the subscribers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4608 LAN interconnection over ATM networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5607 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5618 Bridges, gateways [GW] or interworking units [IWU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5671 Support of voice
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5076 Update or notification mechanisms, e.g. DynDNS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5084 Providing for device mobility network addressing or numbering for mobility support in wireless networks H04W8/26; mobile IP H04W80/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 : Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 : Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

High-speed information packets are routed through a distributed communication system. Each packet destined for a subscriber unit is provided with an address indicating a destination within the communication system. In each distribution point along the path to the destination, a determination is made as to which distribution point each packet will be forwarded based on the address. Each packet is received in an access point servicing the destination, and the packet is forwarded to the destination subscriber unit.

Claims

1. A system for distributing high-speed packetized information to a plurality of subscriber units, comprising:

a distributed routing network comprising a plurality of distribution points, each of the plurality of distribution points in communication with at least one access point, each of the at least one access points having a coverage area adapted to service at least one of the plurality of subscriber units, wherein,

a first of the plurality of distribution points is adapted to,

receive the high-speed packetized information from a first subscriber unit, the high-speed packetized information being destined for a second subscriber unit in a coverage area serviced by a second of the plurality of distribution points comprising a host digital terminal distribution center, and

forward the high-speed packetized information directly to the host digital terminal distribution center without routing the high-speed packetized information through a central office, the host digital terminal distribution center adapted to convert the high-speed packetized information to an optical format;

at least one access point in communication with the host digital terminal distribution center, the access point comprising an optical network unit adapted to receive the high-speed packetized information from the distributed routing network and convert the high-speed packetized information from the optical format to a second format;

a network interface device adapted to receive the high-speed packetized information from the optical network unit and forward the high-speed packetized information in the second format to the second subscriber unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second format is compatible with copper wiring.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second format is compatible with coaxial cable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the high-speed packetized information is provided through a VDSL service.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the high-speed packetized information is provided through a fiber optic service.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the host digital terminal distribution center provides a plurality of video channels for distribution to the plurality of subscriber units.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of subscriber units comprises a mobile device in communication with the at least one access point through a wireless connection.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the subscriber units comprises a device in communication with the network interface device through a wired connection.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the network interface device is a set-top box located at the subscriber premises.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the network interface device is a gateway at the subscriber premises adapted to forward the high-speed packetized information to the subscriber premises.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the network interface device is a decoder.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein, at least one of the host digital terminal distribution center and optical network unit comprises a video distribution center, the video distribution center adapted to receive and relay requests between a video supplier and at least one of a customer gateway and one of the plurality of subscriber units.

12. A system for distributing high-speed packetized information to a plurality of subscriber units, comprising:

a host digital terminal video distribution center for storing data and converting the data to high-speed packetized information in an optical format;

a distributed routing network comprising a plurality of distribution points, wherein a first of the plurality of distribution points is adapted to,

receive the high-speed packetized information from the host digital terminal video distribution center, the high-speed packetized information being destined for a one of the plurality of subscriber units in a coverage area serviced by a second of the plurality of the distribution points, and

forward the high-speed packetized information directly to the second of the plurality of distribution points without routing the high-speed packetized information through a central office;

an optical network unit adapted to receive the packetized information from the second of the plurality of distribution points and convert the high-speed packetized information from the optical format to a second format, wherein, the optical network unit comprises a coverage area adapted to service the one of the plurality of subscriber units; and

a network interface device adapted to receive the high-speed packetized information from the optical network unit and forward the high-speed packetized information in the second format to the one of the plurality of subscriber units.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the data stored on the host digital terminal video distribution center comprises a plurality of information channels adapted to be accessed by multiple subscriber units.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the host digital terminal video distribution center is adapted to receive a request from at least one of the plurality of subscriber units to access one of the plurality of information channels.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the host digital terminal video distribution center is adapted to,

respond to the request from the at least one of the plurality of subscriber units to access one of the plurality of information channels;

and

deliver the one of the plurality of information channels to the one of the plurality of subscriber units.

16. A method of distributing high-speed information packets to at least one of a plurality of subscriber units, comprising:

storing data at a first distribution point comprising a host digital terminal distribution center;

converting the data into a plurality of high-speed information packets;

converting the plurality of high speed information packets into an optical format;

forwarding at least one of the plurality of high-speed information packets from the host digital terminal distribution center directly to a second distribution point through a distributed routing network without using a mobile switching center;

forwarding the at least one of the plurality of high-speed information packets from the second distribution point to an access point comprising an optical network unit;

converting the at least one of the plurality of high-speed information packets from the optical format to a second format;

forwarding the at least one of the plurality of high-speed information packets in the second format from a network interface device to the at least one of a plurality of subscriber units.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

processing a request at the at least one of a plurality of subscriber units to access the data stored at the host digital terminal distribution center; and

determining if the data stored at the host digital terminal distribution center is available for distribution.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein processing a request at the at least one of a plurality of subscriber units to access the data stored at the host digital terminal distribution center comprises determining that the at least one of a plurality of subscriber units requesting the access is within the coverage area of the host digital terminal distribution center.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein processing a request at the at least one of a plurality of subscriber units to access the data stored at the host digital terminal distribution center comprises receiving a message from the at least one of a plurality of subscriber units.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising transmitting a dummy address as the destination for the data, the dummy address permitting one or more subscriber units to request and terminate a video channel from the host digital terminal distribution center without disrupting the distribution of the same video channel to any other subscriber units.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining that the at least one of the plurality of subscriber units is no longer accessing the data;

terminating transmission of the data; and

noting that the at least one of the subscriber units is no longer receiving the data.

23. The method of claim 16 further comprising, adding a new access point to the distributed network, wherein the access point further comprises a distribution point.